AP® Environmental Science Cheat Sheet
The AP Environmental Science Cheat Sheet for 2024 offers a concise overview of essential concepts and key terms to help students excel in the AP exam. This guide covers six fundamental units: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Populations, Earth Systems & Resources, Land & Water Use, and Energy Resources & Consumption. Each unit breaks down crucial topics such as ecological relationships, biomes, nutrient cycles, population dynamics, geological processes, sustainable practices, and energy types. Use this cheat sheet as a quick reference to reinforce your understanding and ensure you're well-prepared for the exam.
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Unit 1: Ecosystems
Ecological Relationships
Predator-Prey: One hunts another.
Mutualism: Both benefit.
Commensalism: One benefits, other unaffected.
Parasitism: One benefits, one harmed.
Competition: Compete for resources.
Biomes
Terrestrial: Tundra, Taiga, Temperate Forests, Tropical Rainforests, Grasslands, Savanna, Desert.
Aquatic: Coral Reefs, Estuaries, Ponds, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans.
Cycles
Carbon Cycle: Photosynthesis, respiration.
Nitrogen Cycle: Fixation, nitrification, denitrification.
Phosphorus Cycle: Rocks, soil.
Hydrologic Cycle: Precipitation, evaporation.
Productivity & Trophic Levels
GPP: Total energy captured.
NPP: Energy after plant use.
Trophic Levels: Producers, Consumers, Decomposers.
10% Rule: Energy transfer efficiency.
Food Web
Flow of energy and nutrients.
Unit 2: Biodiversity
Types of Diversity
Genetic, Species, Ecosystem Diversity.
Ecosystem Services
Supporting, Provisioning, Regulating, Cultural.
Island Biogeography
Larger Islands: More species.
Proximity: Closer islands = more species.
Ecological Tolerance & Succession
Tolerance: Survive environmental changes.
Succession: Primary (new areas), Secondary (recovery).
Keystone Species
Critical for ecosystem balance.
Unit 3: Populations
Species Types
Generalist: Broad niche.
Specialist: Narrow niche.
Growth Strategies
K-Strategists: Few offspring, high care.
r-Strategists: Many offspring, low care.
Survivorship Curves
Type I, II, III: Varying mortality rates.
Population Metrics
Carrying Capacity: Max supportable population.
Age Structure Diagrams: Population age distribution.
Growth Curves: Exponential (J-curve), Logistic (S-curve).
Rates
Total Fertility Rate: Average children per woman.
Infant Mortality Rate: Deaths before age one.
Rule of 70: Doubling time (70/growth rate).
Unit 4: Earth Systems & Resources
Plate Tectonics
Convergent, Divergent, Transform Boundaries.
Soil & Atmosphere
Soil Horizons: O, A, E, B, C layers.
Atmosphere Layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere.
Climate & Water
Global Wind Patterns, Coriolis Effect.
Watersheds: Drainage areas.
El Niño/La Niña
El Niño: Warmer ocean surface.
La Niña: Cooler ocean surface.
Unit 5: Land & Water Use
Commons & Agriculture
Tragedy of the Commons: Overuse of resources.
Green Revolution: Agricultural advancements.
Practices & Production
Monocropping, Tilling, Fertilizers.
Irrigation: Drip, Flood.
Meat Production: CAFOs, pasture-raised.
Mining & Urbanization
Surface/Subsurface Mining.
Urban Sprawl: Spread into rural areas.
Sustainability
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Energy Efficiency: Using less energy.
Unit 6: Energy Resources & Consumption
Energy Types
Nonrenewable: Oil, Coal, Natural Gas.
Renewable: Solar, Wind, Hydroelectric, Geothermal, Biomass.
Efficiency & Conservation
Energy Conservation: Reduce usage.
Energy Efficiency: Better technology.
Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution
Introduction to Air Pollution
Sources, effects, and solutions.
Photochemical Smog
Formation and impacts.
Indoor Air Pollution
Common pollutants and health effects.
Methods to Reduce Air Pollutants
Technological and regulatory measures.
Acid Rain
Causes, effects, and mitigation.
Noise Pollution
Sources and impacts on health and environment.
Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
Sources of Pollution
Point and non-point sources.
Human Impact on Ecosystems
Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.
Thermal Pollution
Causes and effects on aquatic systems.
Solid Waste Disposal and Waste Reduction Methods
Landfills, recycling, composting.
Pollution and Human Health
Health effects of various pollutants.
Key Policies
Atomic Energy Act (AEA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Kyoto Protocol (KP), Montreal Protocol (MP), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA).