AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Human Impacts On Ecosystems

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Human Impacts On Ecosystems, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the term for non-native species that cause harm to ecosystems?

Answer: Invasive species. Species introduced outside their native range can outcompete local organisms.

Flashcard 2: Which gas is primarily responsible for acid rain?

Answer: Sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Coal burning releases sulfur compounds that form acidic precipitation.

Flashcard 3: What is the effect of excessive nutrient loading in water bodies?

Answer: Algal blooms. Excess nutrients trigger rapid algae growth that depletes oxygen when decomposing.

Flashcard 4: Which human activity contributes to the urban heat island effect?

Answer: Urbanization. Concrete and asphalt absorb more heat than vegetation, raising city temperatures.

Flashcard 5: Which human activity is a major contributor to soil erosion?

Answer: Agriculture. Plowing and harvesting remove protective vegetation, exposing soil to wind and water.

Flashcard 6: What is a major effect of agricultural runoff?

Answer: Water pollution. Fertilizers and pesticides wash into waterways, contaminating drinking sources.

Flashcard 7: Identify the primary source of methane emissions.

Answer: Livestock farming. Cattle and other ruminants produce $CH_4$ through digestion processes.

Flashcard 8: What is one effect of habitat fragmentation on wildlife?

Answer: Decreased genetic diversity. Smaller populations have limited gene pools, reducing evolutionary adaptability.

Flashcard 9: Which human activity contributes to the urban heat island effect?

Answer: Urbanization. Concrete and asphalt absorb more heat than vegetation, raising city temperatures.

Flashcard 10: What is a key strategy for conserving biodiversity?

Answer: Establishing protected areas. Reserves and parks preserve critical habitats from human development pressures.

Flashcard 11: What is the primary cause of ocean dead zones?

Answer: Nutrient pollution. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus create oxygen-depleted zones where life cannot survive.

Flashcard 12: What is the primary environmental concern with landfill sites?

Answer: Leachate contamination. Toxic liquids from decomposing waste can seep into groundwater supplies.

Flashcard 13: What is one effect of habitat fragmentation on wildlife?

Answer: Decreased genetic diversity. Smaller populations have limited gene pools, reducing evolutionary adaptability.

Flashcard 14: Which gas is most associated with climate change?

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Most abundant greenhouse gas from human activities, trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Flashcard 15: Which renewable energy source reduces greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer: Solar power. Converts sunlight directly to electricity without burning fossil fuels.

Flashcard 16: Which activity is a major source of water pollution?

Answer: Industrial discharge. Factories release chemicals, heavy metals, and heated water into rivers and lakes.

Flashcard 17: What is the main environmental impact of overfishing?

Answer: Decline in fish populations. Removing fish faster than they can reproduce disrupts marine food webs.

Flashcard 18: What is a major effect of industrialization on ecosystems?

Answer: Pollution increase. Manufacturing processes release chemicals, particulates, and waste into ecosystems.

Flashcard 19: What is the term for non-native species that cause harm to ecosystems?

Answer: Invasive species. Species introduced outside their native range can outcompete local organisms.

Flashcard 20: Which human activity contributes most to desertification?

Answer: Overgrazing. Too many animals remove vegetation faster than it can regenerate.

Flashcard 21: What is the primary source of nitrous oxide emissions?

Answer: Agricultural activities. Fertilizer use and soil cultivation release $N_2O$ into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 22: What is the effect of chlorofluorocarbons on the ozone layer?

Answer: Ozone depletion. CFCs break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, creating holes.

Flashcard 23: What is one major consequence of ocean acidification?

Answer: Coral bleaching. Lower pH from absorbed $CO_2$ stresses coral, causing them to expel algae.

Flashcard 24: What is a major effect of industrialization on ecosystems?

Answer: Pollution increase. Manufacturing processes release chemicals, particulates, and waste into ecosystems.

Flashcard 25: Identify one way to reduce carbon footprint.

Answer: Use renewable energy. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power emit no greenhouse gases during operation.

Flashcard 26: What is the effect of excessive nutrient loading in water bodies?

Answer: Algal blooms. Excess nutrients trigger rapid algae growth that depletes oxygen when decomposing.

Flashcard 27: Identify one way to reduce carbon footprint.

Answer: Use renewable energy. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power emit no greenhouse gases during operation.

Flashcard 28: Which human activity is primarily responsible for acid rain?

Answer: Burning of fossil fuels. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides from combustion react with water to form acids.

Flashcard 29: What is the definition of an ecological footprint?

Answer: The measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Calculated using biologically productive area needed to sustain resource consumption and waste.

Flashcard 30: Which gas is most associated with climate change?

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Most abundant greenhouse gas from human activities, trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Flashcard 31: What is the effect of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems?

Answer: Decreased oxygen levels. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, stressing fish and aquatic organisms.

Flashcard 32: Identify the main consequence of habitat loss.

Answer: Species extinction. Without suitable habitat, species cannot find food, shelter, or breeding sites.

Flashcard 33: What is the primary effect of deforestation?

Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Removes habitat for countless species, reducing ecosystem complexity and stability.

Flashcard 34: What is the effect of increased ultraviolet radiation on humans?

Answer: Skin cancer. UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells, leading to cancerous mutations.

Flashcard 35: What is a significant impact of plastic pollution in oceans?

Answer: Harm to marine life. Plastic debris entangles animals and releases toxic chemicals when ingested.

Flashcard 36: What is the effect of chlorofluorocarbons on the ozone layer?

Answer: Ozone depletion. CFCs break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, creating holes.

Flashcard 37: What is the primary cause of ocean dead zones?

Answer: Nutrient pollution. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus create oxygen-depleted zones where life cannot survive.

Flashcard 38: Identify the main greenhouse gas emitted by vehicles.

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Internal combustion engines burn hydrocarbons, releasing carbon dioxide.

Flashcard 39: What is the effect of increased ultraviolet radiation on humans?

Answer: Skin cancer. UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells, leading to cancerous mutations.

Flashcard 40: What is one major consequence of ocean acidification?

Answer: Coral bleaching. Lower pH from absorbed $CO_2$ stresses coral, causing them to expel algae.

Flashcard 41: What is the main environmental impact of overfishing?

Answer: Decline in fish populations. Removing fish faster than they can reproduce disrupts marine food webs.

Flashcard 42: What is the primary environmental concern with landfill sites?

Answer: Leachate contamination. Toxic liquids from decomposing waste can seep into groundwater supplies.

Flashcard 43: Which term describes the warming of Earth's atmosphere due to trapped heat?

Answer: Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap infrared radiation, warming Earth's surface temperature.

Flashcard 44: Which pollutant is primarily responsible for smog formation?

Answer: Ozone (O₃). Ground-level ozone forms from vehicle emissions and creates photochemical smog.

Flashcard 45: Identify the primary source of methane emissions.

Answer: Livestock farming. Cattle and other ruminants produce $CH_4$ through digestion processes.

Flashcard 46: What is a key strategy for conserving biodiversity?

Answer: Establishing protected areas. Reserves and parks preserve critical habitats from human development pressures.

Flashcard 47: What is a major effect of agricultural runoff?

Answer: Water pollution. Fertilizers and pesticides wash into waterways, contaminating drinking sources.

Flashcard 48: Identify one method to reduce deforestation.

Answer: Reforestation. Planting trees restores forest cover and absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Flashcard 49: Which term describes the warming of Earth's atmosphere due to trapped heat?

Answer: Greenhouse effect. Atmospheric gases trap infrared radiation, warming Earth's surface temperature.

Flashcard 50: Which renewable energy source reduces greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer: Solar power. Converts sunlight directly to electricity without burning fossil fuels.

Flashcard 51: What is the effect of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems?

Answer: Decreased oxygen levels. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, stressing fish and aquatic organisms.

Flashcard 52: Which human activity is primarily responsible for acid rain?

Answer: Burning of fossil fuels. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides from combustion react with water to form acids.

Flashcard 53: Which activity is a major source of water pollution?

Answer: Industrial discharge. Factories release chemicals, heavy metals, and heated water into rivers and lakes.

Flashcard 54: Which gas is primarily responsible for acid rain?

Answer: Sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Coal burning releases sulfur compounds that form acidic precipitation.

Flashcard 55: Identify one primary cause of habitat fragmentation.

Answer: Urban development. Buildings and roads break up continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches.

Flashcard 56: What is the primary effect of deforestation?

Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Removes habitat for countless species, reducing ecosystem complexity and stability.

Flashcard 57: Identify one method to reduce deforestation.

Answer: Reforestation. Planting trees restores forest cover and absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Flashcard 58: Which human activity is a major contributor to soil erosion?

Answer: Agriculture. Plowing and harvesting remove protective vegetation, exposing soil to wind and water.

Flashcard 59: Identify one impact of increased atmospheric CO₂ levels.

Answer: Climate change. Higher atmospheric carbon concentrations enhance the greenhouse effect and warming.

Flashcard 60: Which human activity contributes most to desertification?

Answer: Overgrazing. Too many animals remove vegetation faster than it can regenerate.

Flashcard 61: Identify the process by which fertilizers lead to water pollution.

Answer: Eutrophication. Excess nutrients from fertilizers cause algae overgrowth and oxygen depletion.

Flashcard 62: Which practice helps reduce soil erosion in agriculture?

Answer: Contour plowing. Plowing parallel to elevation contours slows water flow and reduces erosion.

Flashcard 63: Which pollutant is primarily responsible for smog formation?

Answer: Ozone (O₃). Ground-level ozone forms from vehicle emissions and creates photochemical smog.

Flashcard 64: What is a significant impact of plastic pollution in oceans?

Answer: Harm to marine life. Plastic debris entangles animals and releases toxic chemicals when ingested.

Flashcard 65: Identify the main greenhouse gas emitted by vehicles.

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Internal combustion engines burn hydrocarbons, releasing carbon dioxide.

Flashcard 66: Which practice helps reduce soil erosion in agriculture?

Answer: Contour plowing. Plowing parallel to elevation contours slows water flow and reduces erosion.

Flashcard 67: What is the main cause of biodiversity loss worldwide?

Answer: Habitat destruction. Human development eliminates natural habitats where species live and reproduce.

Flashcard 68: What is the main cause of biodiversity loss worldwide?

Answer: Habitat destruction. Human development eliminates natural habitats where species live and reproduce.

Flashcard 69: Identify one impact of increased atmospheric CO₂ levels.

Answer: Climate change. Higher atmospheric carbon concentrations enhance the greenhouse effect and warming.

Flashcard 70: Identify a major source of air pollution.

Answer: Vehicle emissions. Cars and trucks burn fossil fuels, releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 71: Identify one primary cause of habitat fragmentation.

Answer: Urban development. Buildings and roads break up continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches.

Flashcard 72: Identify the main consequence of habitat loss.

Answer: Species extinction. Without suitable habitat, species cannot find food, shelter, or breeding sites.

Flashcard 73: What is the definition of an ecological footprint?

Answer: The measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Calculated using biologically productive area needed to sustain resource consumption and waste.

Flashcard 74: Identify a major source of air pollution.

Answer: Vehicle emissions. Cars and trucks burn fossil fuels, releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 75: What is the primary source of nitrous oxide emissions?

Answer: Agricultural activities. Fertilizer use and soil cultivation release $N_2O$ into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 76: Identify the process by which fertilizers lead to water pollution.

Answer: Eutrophication. Excess nutrients from fertilizers cause algae overgrowth and oxygen depletion.