Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources PDF

Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources Essential Knowledge Adapted from College Board AP Environmental Science Course and Exam Description* Adapted from College Board AP Environmental Sc...

Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources Essential Knowledge Adapted from College Board AP Environmental Science Course and Exam Description* Adapted from College Board AP Environmental Science Course and Exam Description* 4.1: Plate Tectonics Describe the geological changes and events that occur at convergent, divergent, and transform plate boundaries. Convergent boundaries can result in the creation of mountains, island arcs, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Divergent plate boundaries can result in seafloor spreading, rift valleys, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Transform boundaries can result in earthquakes. Maps that show the global distribution of plate boundaries can be used to determine the location of volcanoes, island arcs, earthquakes, hot spots, and faults. An earthquake occurs when stress overcomes a locked fault, releasing stored energy. 4.2: Soil Formation and Erosion Describe the characteristics and formation of soil. Soils are formed when parent material is weathered, transported, and Soils can be eroded by winds deposited. or water. Protecting soils can protect water quality as soils effectively filter and clean Soils are generally water that moves through categorized by horizons them. based on their composition and organic material (at right). 4.3: Soil Composition and Properties Describe similarities and differences between properties of different soil types. Water holding capacity - the total amount of water soil can hold - varies with different soil types. Water retention contributes to land productivity and fertility of soils. The particle size and composition of each soil horizon can affect the porosity 4.3: Soil Composition and Properties, cont. Describe similarities and differences between properties of different soil types. There are a variety of methods to test the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil that can aid in a variety of decisions, such as irrigation and fertilizer requirements. A soil texture triangle is a diagram that allows for the identification and comparison of soil types based on their percentage of clay, silt, and sand. 4.4: Earth’s Atmosphere Describe the structure and composition of the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere is made up of major gases, each with its own relative abundance. The layers of the atmosphere are based on temperature gradients and include the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. 4.5: Global Wind Patterns Explain how environmental factors can result in atmospheric circulation. Global wind patterns primarily result from the most intense solar radiation arriving at the equator, resulting in density differences and the Coriolis effect. 4.6: Watersheds Describe the characteristics of a watershed. Characteristics of a given watershed include its area, length, slope, soil, vegetation types, and divides with adjoining watersheds.  4.7: Solar Radiation and Earth’s Seasons Explain how the sun’s energy affects the Earth’s surface. The solar radiation received at a Incoming solar radiation location on the Earth’s surface (insolation) is the Earth’s varies seasonally, with the most main source of energy and radiation received during the is dependent on season location’s longest summer day and latitude. and the least on the shortest winter day. The angle of the sun’s rays determines the intensity of the The tilt of Earth’s axis of solar radiation. Due to the rotation causes the Earth’s shape of the Earth, the latitude seasons and the number of that is directly horizontal to the hours of daylight in a solar radiation receives the particular location on the most intensity. Earth’s surface. The highest solar radiation per unit area is received at the equator and decreases toward the poles.  4.8: Earth’s Geography and Climate Describe how the Earth’s geography affects weather and climate. Weather and climate are affected not only by the sun’s energy but by geologic and geographic factors, such as mountains and ocean temperature. A rain shadow is a region of land that has become drier because a higher elevation area blocks precipitation from reaching the land.  4.9: El Niño and La Niña Describe the environmental changes and effects that result from El Niño or La Niña events (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) El Niño and La Niña are influenced by geological and geographic factors and can affect different locations in different ways. El Niño and La Niña are phenomena associated with changing ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. These phenomena can cause global changes to rainfall, wind, and ocean circulation patterns.