What this deck covers
This deck focuses on Ocean Warming, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.
AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Ocean Warming
Study Ocean Warming in AP Environmental Science with focused flashcards that help you recognize the idea, recall the key rule, and apply it in practice-style prompts.
AP Environmental Science
Ocean Warming
0 mastered0 still learning
0% Complete
01
QUESTION
1/ 62
What is the impact of ocean warming on polar ecosystems?
Tap card or press Space to flip
01
ANSWER
Threatens species and habitats. Ice-dependent species lose habitat and food sources.
How well did you know it?
Got it!
Still Learning
Card 1 / 62
Space to flip · ← / → to move · once flipped, → Got it · ← Still learning
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.
All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the impact of ocean warming on polar ecosystems?
Answer: Threatens species and habitats. Ice-dependent species lose habitat and food sources.
Flashcard 2: How does ocean warming influence ocean currents?
Answer: Alters the strength and direction of currents. Changes temperature gradients that drive currents.
Flashcard 3: How does ocean warming alter marine food webs?
Answer: Disrupts predator-prey relationships. Temperature changes affect species interactions.
Flashcard 4: What is the effect of ocean warming on sea ice extent?
Answer: Reduces sea ice extent. Warmer water melts ice from beneath.
Flashcard 5: Identify a consequence of ocean warming on coastal ecosystems.
Answer: Increased coastal erosion. Rising seas and storms damage coastal habitats.
Flashcard 6: What is the primary cause of ocean warming?
Answer: Increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases trap heat, warming oceans.
Flashcard 7: How does ocean warming affect the ocean's pH levels?
Answer: Leads to ocean acidification. CO₂ absorption forms carbonic acid, lowering pH.
Flashcard 8: How does ocean warming influence ocean currents?
Answer: Alters the strength and direction of currents. Changes temperature gradients that drive currents.
Flashcard 9: Which human activity contributes most to ocean warming?
Answer: Burning fossil fuels. Releases CO₂ that drives ocean warming.
Flashcard 10: What is the effect of ocean warming on marine biodiversity?
Answer: Leads to loss of biodiversity. Species cannot adapt to rapid temperature changes.
Flashcard 11: What role does ocean warming play in sea level rise?
Answer: Contributes through thermal expansion and ice melt. Both thermal expansion and ice melt raise sea levels.
Flashcard 12: What impact does ocean warming have on marine species?
Answer: Shifts in species distribution and habitat loss. Species migrate to cooler waters or face extinction.
Flashcard 13: Identify an adaptation strategy for marine species facing ocean warming.
Answer: Migration to cooler waters. Species move to maintain optimal temperature ranges.
Flashcard 14: What is the role of oceans in carbon dioxide absorption?
Answer: Oceans absorb CO₂, acting as a carbon sink. Oceans store about 25% of atmospheric CO₂.
Flashcard 15: What is ocean warming?
Answer: Increase in ocean temperatures due to climate change. Caused by greenhouse gases trapping heat that oceans absorb.
Flashcard 16: Which ecosystems are most vulnerable to ocean warming?
Answer: Coral reefs and Arctic ecosystems. Temperature-sensitive ecosystems face rapid changes.
Flashcard 17: What is the effect of ocean warming on hurricane intensity?
Answer: Increases hurricane intensity. Warmer water provides more energy for storms.
Flashcard 18: What is the relationship between ocean warming and sea turtle nesting?
Answer: Affects sand temperatures, influencing sex ratios. Temperature determines turtle sex during development.
Flashcard 19: What impact does ocean warming have on marine species?
Answer: Shifts in species distribution and habitat loss. Species migrate to cooler waters or face extinction.
Flashcard 20: Identify a solution to address ocean warming.
Answer: Implementing renewable energy sources. Reduces fossil fuel emissions that cause warming.
Flashcard 21: What is the effect of ocean warming on ocean stratification?
Answer: Increases stratification. Reduces vertical mixing of nutrients and oxygen.
Flashcard 22: Identify one way ocean warming affects weather patterns.
Answer: Increases the frequency and intensity of storms. Warm water provides more energy for storm formation.
Flashcard 23: Identify one way ocean warming affects weather patterns.
Answer: Increases the frequency and intensity of storms. Warm water provides more energy for storm formation.
Flashcard 24: How does ocean warming influence ocean deoxygenation?
Answer: Contributes to deoxygenation. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen.
Flashcard 25: What impact does ocean warming have on ocean salinity?
Answer: Alters salinity patterns. Changes evaporation and precipitation patterns.
Flashcard 26: What is the relationship between ocean warming and phytoplankton?
Answer: Reduces phytoplankton productivity. Stratification limits nutrient mixing for phytoplankton.
Flashcard 27: How does ocean warming influence global heat distribution?
Answer: Affects thermohaline circulation. Disrupts density-driven currents that distribute heat.
Flashcard 28: Identify a method to mitigate ocean warming.
Answer: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Addresses the root cause of warming.
Flashcard 29: What effect does ocean warming have on the Gulf Stream?
Answer: Weakens the Gulf Stream. Disrupts temperature gradients that drive the current.
Flashcard 30: How does ocean warming affect sea levels?
Answer: Causes thermal expansion, raising sea levels. Warmer water expands, contributing ~50% of sea level rise.
Flashcard 31: How does ocean warming affect nutrient cycling?
Answer: Disrupts nutrient availability. Stratification prevents nutrient upwelling.
Flashcard 32: What is the effect of ocean warming on the Antarctic ice sheet?
Answer: Accelerates ice sheet melting. Warm water melts ice shelves from below.
Flashcard 33: How does ocean warming affect the El Niño phenomenon?
Answer: Intensifies El Niño events. Stronger temperature gradients enhance the pattern.
Flashcard 34: Which human activity contributes most to ocean warming?
Answer: Burning fossil fuels. Releases CO₂ that drives ocean warming.
Flashcard 35: What effect does ocean warming have on the Gulf Stream?
Answer: Weakens the Gulf Stream. Disrupts temperature gradients that drive the current.
Flashcard 36: Identify a challenge posed by ocean warming for fisheries.
Answer: Alters fish stock distribution. Fish populations shift to maintain optimal temperatures.
Flashcard 37: What is the effect of ocean warming on sea ice extent?
Answer: Reduces sea ice extent. Warmer water melts ice from beneath.
Flashcard 38: How does ocean warming affect the frequency of marine heatwaves?
Answer: Increases frequency and intensity. Warmer baseline temperatures enable more extreme events.
Flashcard 39: How does ocean warming affect the albedo effect?
Answer: Decreases albedo by reducing ice cover. Less ice means less solar reflection.
Flashcard 40: How does ocean warming affect the thermocline?
Answer: Deepens the thermocline. Stronger temperature gradient between surface and deep water.
Flashcard 41: What is the effect of ocean warming on sea grass beds?
Answer: Causes decline in sea grass health. Heat stress reduces photosynthesis and growth.
Flashcard 42: How does ocean warming alter marine food webs?
Answer: Disrupts predator-prey relationships. Temperature changes affect species interactions.
Flashcard 43: What is the effect of ocean warming on marine biodiversity?
Answer: Leads to loss of biodiversity. Species cannot adapt to rapid temperature changes.
Flashcard 44: What is the primary cause of ocean warming?
Answer: Increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases trap heat, warming oceans.
Flashcard 45: What is the relationship between ocean warming and phytoplankton?
Answer: Reduces phytoplankton productivity. Stratification limits nutrient mixing for phytoplankton.
Flashcard 46: How does ocean warming impact the carbon cycle?
Answer: Reduces ocean's carbon uptake capacity. Stratification and chemistry changes reduce CO₂ solubility.
Flashcard 47: What is ocean warming?
Answer: Increase in ocean temperatures due to climate change. Caused by greenhouse gases trapping heat that oceans absorb.
Flashcard 48: Which ecosystems are most vulnerable to ocean warming?
Answer: Coral reefs and Arctic ecosystems. Temperature-sensitive ecosystems face rapid changes.
Flashcard 49: How does ocean warming influence global heat distribution?
Answer: Affects thermohaline circulation. Disrupts density-driven currents that distribute heat.
Flashcard 50: What is the impact of ocean warming on fish populations?
Answer: Causes shifts in distribution and abundance. Fish migrate to maintain optimal temperatures.
Flashcard 51: What impact does ocean warming have on ocean salinity?
Answer: Alters salinity patterns. Changes evaporation and precipitation patterns.
Flashcard 52: How does ocean warming affect nutrient cycling?
Answer: Disrupts nutrient availability. Stratification prevents nutrient upwelling.
Flashcard 53: What is the effect of ocean warming on ocean stratification?
Answer: Increases stratification. Reduces vertical mixing of nutrients and oxygen.
Flashcard 54: What is the impact of ocean warming on fish populations?
Answer: Causes shifts in distribution and abundance. Fish migrate to maintain optimal temperatures.
Flashcard 55: Identify the effect of ocean warming on coral reefs.
Answer: Coral bleaching. Heat stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae.
Flashcard 56: What is the effect of ocean warming on the Arctic region?
Answer: Accelerates ice melt. Warmer water melts ice from below.
Flashcard 57: How does ocean warming affect the albedo effect?
Answer: Decreases albedo by reducing ice cover. Less ice means less solar reflection.
Flashcard 58: How does ocean warming influence ocean deoxygenation?
Answer: Contributes to deoxygenation. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen.
Flashcard 59: How does ocean warming affect the ocean's pH levels?
Answer: Leads to ocean acidification. CO₂ absorption forms carbonic acid, lowering pH.
Flashcard 60: Which gas is most responsible for ocean warming?
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Primary greenhouse gas driving global warming.
Flashcard 61: Identify the effect of ocean warming on coral reefs.
Answer: Coral bleaching. Heat stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae.
Flashcard 62: Identify a method to mitigate ocean warming.
Answer: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Addresses the root cause of warming.