AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Natural Disruptions To Ecosystems

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Natural Disruptions To 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 role of lightning in natural disruptions?

Answer: Can ignite wildfires. Electrical discharges provide ignition source for forest fires.

Flashcard 2: What is one impact of natural wildfires on air quality?

Answer: Increased particulate matter in the air. Smoke and ash particles reduce air quality for organisms.

Flashcard 3: Which natural event can cause changes in oceanic ecosystems?

Answer: El Niño. Climate pattern that alters ocean temperatures and currents globally.

Flashcard 4: What is a common consequence of droughts on ecosystems?

Answer: Reduced water availability for species. Extended dry periods stress plants and animals dependent on water.

Flashcard 5: Identify one effect of natural acid rain on ecosystems.

Answer: Soil acidification. Low pH conditions harm plants and alter soil chemistry.

Flashcard 6: Identify one way climate change acts as a natural disruption.

Answer: Alters temperature and precipitation patterns. Long-term shifts affect species distributions and ecosystem boundaries.

Flashcard 7: What is one impact of severe storms on ecosystems?

Answer: Downing of trees and alteration of habitats. High winds and rain physically damage forest canopy structure.

Flashcard 8: What is the term for species that benefit from natural disruptions?

Answer: Pioneer species. First colonizers that thrive in disturbed environments with little competition.

Flashcard 9: Which natural disaster can cause ecosystem disruption through flooding?

Answer: Hurricanes. Storm surge and heavy rains cause widespread flooding in coastal areas.

Flashcard 10: What is one consequence of a heatwave on ecosystems?

Answer: Increased mortality rates in species. Extreme heat stresses organisms beyond their thermal tolerance limits.

Flashcard 11: Identify a natural process that leads to habitat creation.

Answer: River meandering. Changing river channels create new wetland and riparian habitats.

Flashcard 12: What is one effect of a natural landslide on rivers?

Answer: Increased sediment load. Debris from slides increases turbidity and affects aquatic organisms.

Flashcard 13: What is one way that tsunamis impact coastal ecosystems?

Answer: They can destroy habitats and displace species. Massive waves destroy shoreline vegetation and alter coastal geography.

Flashcard 14: Which natural disaster can lead to habitat fragmentation?

Answer: Earthquakes. Ground ruptures can split continuous habitats into isolated patches.

Flashcard 15: How do snowstorms affect terrestrial ecosystems?

Answer: Alter availability of food and water. Snow cover limits access to food sources and increases energy demands.

Flashcard 16: Which natural event can cause water table depletion?

Answer: Drought. Lack of precipitation reduces groundwater levels affecting plant roots.

Flashcard 17: Identify one example of a natural disruption in ecosystems.

Answer: Forest fires. Common disruption that clears vegetation and affects wildlife habitats.

Flashcard 18: How do cyclones impact terrestrial ecosystems?

Answer: Cause deforestation and habitat loss. Rotating storms with strong winds remove trees and vegetation cover.

Flashcard 19: Which natural event can lead to salinization of soil?

Answer: Tsunamis. Saltwater intrusion makes soil unsuitable for most terrestrial plants.

Flashcard 20: How do natural disruptions contribute to biodiversity?

Answer: They create new niches and habitats. Disturbances open up resources and space for different species to establish.

Flashcard 21: How do mudslides affect terrestrial ecosystems?

Answer: They can bury vegetation and alter topography. Flowing mud covers plants and changes surface elevation permanently.

Flashcard 22: Identify a primary effect of landslides on ecosystems.

Answer: Loss of vegetation and habitat. Mass movement of soil and rock removes plants and changes terrain.

Flashcard 23: Identify a natural process that leads to habitat creation.

Answer: River meandering. Changing river channels create new wetland and riparian habitats.

Flashcard 24: What role do forest fires play in ecosystems?

Answer: They can stimulate new growth and recycle nutrients. Fire creates space for new plants and releases stored soil nutrients.

Flashcard 25: What is one effect of a natural landslide on rivers?

Answer: Increased sediment load. Debris from slides increases turbidity and affects aquatic organisms.

Flashcard 26: Identify one way climate change acts as a natural disruption.

Answer: Alters temperature and precipitation patterns. Long-term shifts affect species distributions and ecosystem boundaries.

Flashcard 27: How do mudslides affect terrestrial ecosystems?

Answer: They can bury vegetation and alter topography. Flowing mud covers plants and changes surface elevation permanently.

Flashcard 28: Identify one effect of natural acid rain on ecosystems.

Answer: Soil acidification. Low pH conditions harm plants and alter soil chemistry.

Flashcard 29: Identify a primary effect of landslides on ecosystems.

Answer: Loss of vegetation and habitat. Mass movement of soil and rock removes plants and changes terrain.

Flashcard 30: Name a natural event that can lead to soil erosion.

Answer: Heavy rainfall. Water washes away topsoil, removing nutrients and plant anchoring.

Flashcard 31: What role do forest fires play in ecosystems?

Answer: They can stimulate new growth and recycle nutrients. Fire creates space for new plants and releases stored soil nutrients.

Flashcard 32: How do avalanches affect mountainous ecosystems?

Answer: They can remove vegetation and alter terrain. Fast-moving snow destroys plants and reshapes mountain landscapes.

Flashcard 33: What is the term for species that benefit from natural disruptions?

Answer: Pioneer species. First colonizers that thrive in disturbed environments with little competition.

Flashcard 34: How do snowstorms affect terrestrial ecosystems?

Answer: Alter availability of food and water. Snow cover limits access to food sources and increases energy demands.

Flashcard 35: What is the definition of a natural disruption in an ecosystem?

Answer: A natural event that causes significant changes to an ecosystem. Disruptions can be temporary or permanent, affecting species and habitats.

Flashcard 36: Which natural disaster can lead to habitat fragmentation?

Answer: Earthquakes. Ground ruptures can split continuous habitats into isolated patches.

Flashcard 37: What is one impact of glaciers retreating on ecosystems?

Answer: Loss of freshwater sources. Melting ice reduces water supply that many species depend upon.

Flashcard 38: How can earthquakes disrupt ecosystems?

Answer: By altering landforms and habitats. Ground movement can create new topography and destroy existing habitats.

Flashcard 39: What is one impact of a meteor impact on ecosystems?

Answer: Can cause mass extinctions. Massive impacts create global environmental changes affecting all life.

Flashcard 40: Which natural event can cause loss of biodiversity?

Answer: Volcanic eruptions. Ash clouds and lava flows eliminate species from large areas.

Flashcard 41: Which natural event can lead to increased forest fire risk?

Answer: Drought. Dry conditions create flammable vegetation and reduce soil moisture.

Flashcard 42: Which natural event can cause loss of biodiversity?

Answer: Volcanic eruptions. Ash clouds and lava flows eliminate species from large areas.

Flashcard 43: What is the role of lightning in natural disruptions?

Answer: Can ignite wildfires. Electrical discharges provide ignition source for forest fires.

Flashcard 44: What is one way that tsunamis impact coastal ecosystems?

Answer: They can destroy habitats and displace species. Massive waves destroy shoreline vegetation and alter coastal geography.

Flashcard 45: Identify an ecosystem that benefits from periodic flooding.

Answer: Floodplain ecosystems. Regular flooding deposits nutrients and maintains wetland productivity.

Flashcard 46: How can earthquakes disrupt ecosystems?

Answer: By altering landforms and habitats. Ground movement can create new topography and destroy existing habitats.

Flashcard 47: Identify one example of a natural disruption in ecosystems.

Answer: Forest fires. Common disruption that clears vegetation and affects wildlife habitats.

Flashcard 48: What is one consequence of a natural ice storm on forests?

Answer: Breakage of tree branches and canopy damage. Ice weight breaks branches and limits light penetration to understory.

Flashcard 49: What is one consequence of a heatwave on ecosystems?

Answer: Increased mortality rates in species. Extreme heat stresses organisms beyond their thermal tolerance limits.

Flashcard 50: Which natural event can increase sedimentation in rivers?

Answer: Flooding. Water carries soil particles that settle in aquatic systems.

Flashcard 51: What is the definition of a natural disruption in an ecosystem?

Answer: A natural event that causes significant changes to an ecosystem. Disruptions can be temporary or permanent, affecting species and habitats.

Flashcard 52: What is a common consequence of droughts on ecosystems?

Answer: Reduced water availability for species. Extended dry periods stress plants and animals dependent on water.

Flashcard 53: What is one impact of a meteor impact on ecosystems?

Answer: Can cause mass extinctions. Massive impacts create global environmental changes affecting all life.

Flashcard 54: Which natural event can lead to salinization of soil?

Answer: Tsunamis. Saltwater intrusion makes soil unsuitable for most terrestrial plants.

Flashcard 55: Name a natural event that can lead to soil erosion.

Answer: Heavy rainfall. Water washes away topsoil, removing nutrients and plant anchoring.

Flashcard 56: What is one impact of natural wildfires on air quality?

Answer: Increased particulate matter in the air. Smoke and ash particles reduce air quality for organisms.

Flashcard 57: Which natural event can cause water table depletion?

Answer: Drought. Lack of precipitation reduces groundwater levels affecting plant roots.

Flashcard 58: Identify a natural process that can replenish soil nutrients.

Answer: Volcanic eruptions. Lava and ash add minerals that enrich soil for plant growth.

Flashcard 59: How do natural disruptions contribute to biodiversity?

Answer: They create new niches and habitats. Disturbances open up resources and space for different species to establish.

Flashcard 60: What type of natural event can lead to coral bleaching?

Answer: Increased water temperatures. Heat stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae, losing color.

Flashcard 61: What is one consequence of a natural ice storm on forests?

Answer: Breakage of tree branches and canopy damage. Ice weight breaks branches and limits light penetration to understory.

Flashcard 62: Name one effect of volcanic eruptions on ecosystems.

Answer: Volcanic ash can enrich soil with nutrients. Ash contains minerals like potassium and phosphorus beneficial to plants.

Flashcard 63: Identify a natural disruption caused by wind.

Answer: Tornadoes. Rotating wind systems can uproot trees and damage vegetation.

Flashcard 64: Which natural event can cause changes in oceanic ecosystems?

Answer: El Niño. Climate pattern that alters ocean temperatures and currents globally.

Flashcard 65: Name one effect of volcanic eruptions on ecosystems.

Answer: Volcanic ash can enrich soil with nutrients. Ash contains minerals like potassium and phosphorus beneficial to plants.

Flashcard 66: Which natural event can increase sedimentation in rivers?

Answer: Flooding. Water carries soil particles that settle in aquatic systems.

Flashcard 67: Identify an ecosystem that benefits from periodic flooding.

Answer: Floodplain ecosystems. Regular flooding deposits nutrients and maintains wetland productivity.

Flashcard 68: Identify a natural process that can replenish soil nutrients.

Answer: Volcanic eruptions. Lava and ash add minerals that enrich soil for plant growth.

Flashcard 69: Which natural event can lead to increased forest fire risk?

Answer: Drought. Dry conditions create flammable vegetation and reduce soil moisture.

Flashcard 70: What is one impact of severe storms on ecosystems?

Answer: Downing of trees and alteration of habitats. High winds and rain physically damage forest canopy structure.