Front
What is the 10% Rule in trophic levels?
Back
Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next level
The rest is lost as heat or used for metabolic processes.
Public Deck
AP Environmental Science - 45 Key Topics
Prepare for AP Environmental Science with 45 flashcards covering ecosystems, energy, pollution, and sustainability.
AnyFlashcards45 cards
Preview
Front
Define Net Primary Productivity (NPP).
Back
Gross Primary Productivity minus respiration (GPP - R)
Represents the rate at which energy is stored as biomass by plants.
Front
What is the primary reservoir of nitrogen?
Back
The Atmosphere (N2 gas)
Nitrogen fixation by bacteria is required to make it bioavailable.
Front
Why is the phosphorus cycle unique among biogeochemical cycles?
Back
It lacks a significant atmospheric component
Phosphorus moves primarily through rocks, water, and soil.
Front
Define 'Ecosystem Services'.
Back
Benefits provided by ecosystems to humans
Includes provisioning (food), regulating (climate), and cultural services.
Front
What does the Theory of Island Biogeography predict?
Back
Species richness depends on island size and distance from mainland
Large, near islands have the highest biodiversity.
Front
What is a Keystone Species?
Back
A species with a disproportionately large effect on its environment
Example: Sea otters controlling sea urchin populations.
Front
Distinguish between Primary and Secondary Succession.
Back
Primary starts on bare rock; Secondary starts in soil
Primary occurs after glaciers/volcanoes; Secondary after fires/clearing.
Front
What is Genetic Diversity?
Back
The range of different inherited traits within a species
High genetic diversity allows populations to survive environmental changes.
Front
Define 'Ecological Tolerance'.
Back
The range of conditions an organism can endure before injury or death
Includes factors like temperature, salinity, and sunlight.
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