AP Environmental Science Unit 1 Review

Questions and Answers

What is the structure of an ecosystem composed of?

Abiotic and biotic factors (correct)

Only biotic factors

Only abiotic factors

Non-living components only

What are abiotic factors?

Non-living things such as water, soils, and minerals.

What do biotic factors include?

Living things such as grasses and elephants.

What are the levels of organization in an ecosystem?

Primary producers, Primary consumers, Secondary consumers. Signup and view all the answers

Define an organism.

An individual living thing that can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, and maintain homeostasis. Signup and view all the answers

What is a species?

A group of living organisms of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a population?

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area. Signup and view all the answers

Define community in ecology.

Groups of different species living together in a particular place. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ecosystem?

A community of living organisms and their non-living environment. Signup and view all the answers

What roles do niches play in an ecosystem?

Roles that species play within their environments Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a generalist and a specialist?

Generalists can thrive in a variety of environments, while specialists have a limited range of environments and diet. Signup and view all the answers

What defines R-selected species?

Many, usually small, offspring with little or no parental care. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes K-selected species?

Few offspring with long life spans and significant parental care. Signup and view all the answers

What is a keystone species?

A species that plays an important role in the ecosystem's function. Signup and view all the answers

What are invasive species?

Species not originally part of an ecosystem that out-compete native species. Signup and view all the answers

What is an endangered species?

A species that is at risk of extinction. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the term ‘biodiversity’.

The variety of life, including species and genetic diversity within ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the edge effect?

The changes in population or community structures that occur at the boundary of two habitats. Signup and view all the answers

What is ecological succession?

The process where ecosystems recover and change over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is primary succession?

Occurs when the ecosystem starts from bare rock. Signup and view all the answers

Define secondary succession.

The recovery process of an ecosystem after a disturbance that leaves some biotic factors behind. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 10% rule in ecological energy transfer?

Only 10% of energy from one trophic level is available to the next level. Signup and view all the answers

What is biomagnification?

The process where toxic substances become increasingly concentrated in organisms as they move up the food chain. Signup and view all the answers

What are ecosystem services?

Products and life functions we derive from healthy ecosystems such as natural resources and oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of interactions between species?

Interactions such as competition, predation, and mutualism shape ecological communities. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecosystem Structure

Composed of abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) factors.
Levels of organization include organism, species, population, community, and ecosystem.

Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Abiotic Factors: Non-living components such as water, soil, minerals, and oxygen.
Biotic Factors: Living components like plants (e.g., grasses) and animals (e.g., elephants).

Levels of Organization

Trophic levels include primary producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers.

Species Definitions

Organism: Individual living entity that can grow, reproduce, and maintain homeostasis.
Species: Group of similar organisms capable of gene exchange.

Population and Community

Population: Total number of individuals of a single species in a given area.
Community: Interactions of different species living together in a defined habitat.

Ecosystem Composition

Ecosystem: Interaction between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components, like deer and rocks.

Roles within Ecosystems

Niches: Specific roles of species, including resource use and interactions.
Specialist vs Generalist:
- Generalists thrive in diverse conditions and utilize various resources.
- Specialists have narrow habitat ranges and limited diets.

Reproductive Strategies

R-Species: Produce many offspring, little to no parental care (e.g., insects, dandelions).
K-Species: Fewer offspring, high parental investment, longer maturation times (e.g., elephants, apes).

Key Species Roles

Keystone Species: Vital for ecosystem structure; removal disrupts balance.
Invasive Species: Non-native species that out-compete local species, altering ecosystem dynamics.
Endangered Species: Species at risk of extinction.

Habitat Dynamics

Foundation Species: Modify habitats (e.g., beavers creating dams).
Edge Effect: Transition zone between two habitat types (ecotone).
Habitat Fragmentation: Division of habitat, often by human activities (e.g., roads).

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

10% Rule: Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level; 90% is lost.
Photosynthesis and Respiration: Photosynthesis captures solar energy; respiration cycles carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Food Webs and Biomagnification

Trophic Levels: Organized structure of energy levels in an ecosystem.
Food Webs: Complex interconnections of predator-prey relationships.
Biomagnification: Accumulation of toxins in organisms as one moves up the food chain.

Evolution and Natural Selection

Evolution: Gradual change in species in response to environmental pressure.
Natural Selection: Organisms with advantageous traits reproduce more successfully, dominating future generations.

Ecosystem Services and Benefits

Products from Healthy Ecosystem: Natural resources, clean water, and other goods.
Life Functions from Healthy Ecosystem: Essential services like oxygen production.

Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession: Recovery processes of ecosystems after disturbances.
Primary Succession: Starting from bare surfaces, often after events like volcanic eruptions.
Secondary Succession: Occurs after disturbances that leave remnants of the previous community.
Pioneer Species: First species to re-establish post-disturbance.
Climax Community: Stable, mature community at the end of ecological succession.

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Review the key concepts of ecosystem structure and organization with these flashcards. Explore abiotic and biotic factors and understand the levels of organization in an ecosystem. Perfect for preparing for the Unit 1 test in AP Environmental Science.