Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems

Introduction to Ecosystems

Species Interactions in Ecosystems

Terrestrial Biomes

Major Terrestrial Biomes

Aquatic Biomes

Major Aquatic Biomes

The Carbon Cycle

The Carbon Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Phosphorus Cycle

The Phosphorus Cycle

The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

The Hydrologic Cycle

Primary Productivity

Primary Productivity in Ecosystems

Trophic Levels

Trophic Levels in Ecosystems

Energy Flow & the 10% Rule

Energy Transfers in Ecosystems

Food Chains & Food Webs

Food Chains & Food Webs in Ecosystems

Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

Introduction to Biodiversity

Biodiversity in Ecosystems

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem Services

Island Biogeography

Island Biogeography

Ecological Tolerance

Ecological Tolerance

Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems

Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems

Adaptations

Adaptations of Organisms

Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession

Unit 3: Populations

Generalist & Specialist Species

Generalist & Specialist Species

K-Selected & r-Selected Species

Life Cycles & Reproductive Strategies

Survivorship Curves

Survivorship Curves

Carrying Capacity

Carrying Capacity

Population Growth & Resource Availability

Population Growth & Resource Availability

Age Structure Diagrams

Age Structure Diagrams

Total Fertility Rate

Total Fertility Rate

Human Population Dynamics

Human Population Dynamics

Demographic Transition

Demographic Transition

Unit 4: Earth Systems & Resources

Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonics

Soil Formation & Erosion

Characteristics of Soil

Soil Composition & Properties

Soil Composition & Properties

Earth’s Atmosphere

Composition & Structure of Earth's Atmosphere

Global Wind Patterns

Atmospheric Circulation

Watersheds

Watersheds

Solar Radiation & Earth’s Seasons

Solar Radiation & Earth's Seasons

Earth’s Geography & Climate

How Earth’s Geography Affects Weather & Climate

El Niño & La Niña

El Niño & La Niña

Unit 5: Land & Water Use

The Tragedy of the Commons

The Tragedy of the Commons

Clearcutting

The Effect of Clearcutting on Forests

The Green Revolution

The Green Revolution

Impacts of Agricultural Practices

Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Practices

Irrigation Methods

Irrigation Methods

Impacts of Irrigation

Pest Control Methods

Pest Control Methods

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management

Meat Production Methods

Meat Production Methods

Overgrazing

Impacts of Overfishing

Impacts of Overfishing

Impacts of Mining

Mining of Ores

Mining of Coal

Impacts of Urbanization

Impacts of Urbanization

Methods to Reduce Urban Runoff

Reducing Urban Runoff

Ecological Footprints

Ecological Footprints

Introduction to Sustainability

Sustainability

Sustainable Agriculture

Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture

Aquaculture

Introduction to Aquaculture

Sustainable Forestry

Introduction to Sustainable Forestry

Unit 6: Energy Resources & Consumption

Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources

Introduction to Energy

Renewable & Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Global Energy Consumption

Trends in Energy Consumption

Fuel Types & Uses

Types of Fuels & Uses

Distribution of Natural Energy Resources

Distribution of Natural Energy Resources

Fossil Fuels

Generating energy from fossil fuels

Environmental Impacts of Fossil Fuels

Nuclear Power

Using Nuclear Energy for Power

Nuclear Energy & the Environment

Energy from Biomass

Using Biomass for Energy

Solar Energy

Use of Solar Energy for Power

Environmental Impacts of Solar Energy

Hydroelectric Power

Using Hydroelectric Power

Environmental Impacts of Hydroelectricity

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Using Hydrogen as Fuel

Environmental Impacts of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Wind Energy

Using the Wind as Energy

Environmental Impacts of Wind Energy

Energy Conservation

Conserving Energy

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

Introduction to Air Pollution

Sources & Effects of Air Pollution

Photochemical Smog

Causes, Effects & Managing Photochemical Smog

Thermal Inversion

Thermal Inversion & Pollution

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide & Particulates

Sources of Carbon Dioxide & Particulates

Indoor Air Pollutants

Types of Indoor Air Pollutants

Radon-222 Gas

Reduction of Air Pollutants

Reducing Air Pollutants

Acid Rain

Acid Deposition

Environmental Impacts of Acid Deposition

Noise Pollution

Causes and Effects of Noise Pollution

Unit 8: Aquatic & Terrestrial Pollution

Sources of Pollution

Types of Pollution Sources

Human Impacts on Ecosystems

Human Activities on Aquatic Ecosystems

Endocrine Disruptors

Effects of Endocrine Disruptors

Human Impacts on Wetlands & Mangroves

Human Activities on Wetlands & Mangroves

Eutrophication

Eutrophication

Thermal Pollution

Thermal Pollution

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Persistent Organic Pollutants

Bioaccumulation & Biomagnification

Bioaccumulation & Biomagnification

Solid Waste Disposal

Solid Waste Disposal

Issues of Solid Waste Disposal Methods

Waste Reduction Methods

Waste Reduction Methods

Sewage Treatment

Sewage Treatment

Lethal Dose 50%

Lethal Dose 50%

Dose Response Curve

Pollution & Human Health

Pollution & Human Health

Pathogens & Infectious Diseases

Pathogens & Infectious Diseases

Infectious Diseases

Unit 9: Global Change

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Stratospheric Ozone

Reducing Ozone Depletion

Reducing Ozone Depletion

The Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect

Increases in the Greenhouse Gases

Increase in Greenhouse Gases

Global Climate Change

Global Climate Change

Effects of Climate change

Climate Change in Polar Regions

Ocean Warming

Ocean Warming

Ocean Acidification

Ocean Acidification

Invasive Species

Invasive Species

Endangered Species

Endangered Species

Human Impacts on Biodiversity

Impact of Human Activities on Biodiversity

Conserving Biodiversity

Unit 10: Environmental Legislation

Legislation Guidance for AP Environmental Science

Introduction to Environmental Legislation

Clean Air Act

Clean Water Act

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES)

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, & Liability Act (CERCLA)

Montreal Protocol

Kyoto Protocol

Endangered Species Act

Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA)

Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)

Study tools

• College Board AP® Environmental Science · Exam Questions
• College Board AP® Environmental Science · Past Papers

Related links

• AP® Environmental Science · Revision Notes
• AP® Environmental Science · Exam Questions
• AP® Environmental Science · Past Papers
• AP® Environmental Science · Glossary