Chapter Tips and Extra Information
Listed below are some pointers you should use as you work on each chapter. Under no means is the information listed ALL you should know.
The "Do the Math" portion of each chapter is also very, very important.
The "Do the Math" portion of each chapter is also very, very important.
Chapter 1 tips and info:
- the main objective of this chapter is that you understand what is involved in the study of environmental science, how we define sustainability, and what constitutes the scientific method.
- The most important part of the chapter is summarized nicely in figure 1.18; please be sure you are very familiar with this.
- We will discuss the issue of climate change in a later chapter; it is merely introduced here.
- Past APES exams have asked students to design an experiment using the parts of an experiment from the scientific method.
- Please note that the human populations listed in the book (ex: page 10) are incorrect. The human population at this point has passed 7 billion. Use the following link to get a more accurate population count:
Chapter 2 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is that you understand different systems in nature, matter and the various forms of energy.
- This chapter reviews key ideas from chemistry and physics that are necessary for you to understand how scientists observe and measure the impact humans have on the environment.
- Make sure you can convert units. These have been used in FRQ questions in the past.
- To review the pH scale go to www.johnkyrk.com/pH.html
- Be very familiar with Science Applied on pages 52 and 53.
Chapter 3 tips and info
PROCESS PRODUCT
Fix-nitrogen fixation Ammonia
Nitrification Nitrates
Assimilation Proteins
Ammonification Ammonia
Denitrification Nitrogen
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand cycles in nature. (eg: food webs, hydrologic, nitrogen, carbon, phosphorous and sulfur cycles.
- be sure you can identify and describe each step in the nitrogen cycle (eg: nitrification, denitrification, ammonification,assimilation, nitrogen fixation) The following may also help you understand the nitrogen cycle:
- be sure to understand the 10% rule that states that we can assume 10% of the biomass from level will move to the next level of the trophic pyramid.
- be sure to understand biomass and the law of conservation of matter
- hydrologic cycle = the water cycle
- there is no atmospheric form of phosphorous
- FixNAAD ANPAN may help you remember the nitrogen cycle:
PROCESS PRODUCT
Fix-nitrogen fixation Ammonia
Nitrification Nitrates
Assimilation Proteins
Ammonification Ammonia
Denitrification Nitrogen
Chapter 4 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand the characteristics of different terrestrial and aquatic biomes and the forces that drive the weather and climate in each biome
- make sure you understand the layers of the atmosphere and the temperature trends in each, the rain shadow effect and El Nino Southern Oscillation
- be sure to understand convection currents and the Coriolis effect
Chapter 5 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand biodiversity and evolution
- be sure to know the difference between species richness and species evenness. Figure 5.4 is a good illustration of this.
- be sure to understand figure 5.18
- be sure to understand mutation, genetic drift, bottleneck effect, and the founder effect
- be sure to understand the processes that drive evolution.
Chapter 6 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand the dynamics behind population growth and the factors that drive this growth.
- be sure you can graph exponential growth, logistic growth and carrying capacity.
- this chapter is filled with information that has been on past AP exams
- be sure understand population distribution, growth models, R/K selected species and competition
- be sure to understand the resources partitioning involved in figure 6.15
- be sure you are comfortable graphing
Chapter 7 tips and info
- the main objective of this chapter is to understand human population growth including social economic and environmental factors that determine growth
- 10% to 15% of the AP exam involves questions about populations, both human and community.
- page 182 gives examples of how to calculate population size.
- know how to read the age structure diagram like the one on page 186.
- be sure to understand the demographic transition graph found in figure 7.9 on page 188
- a great website to practice age structure diagrams is www.census.gove/ipc/www/idb/
- it is important that you understand that a two child family in America has a much larger environmental footprint than does a seven child family in one of the world's developing nations and be able to explain why
- be sure to understand that population is a global issue that does not simplify to "us" vs. "them"
- make sure you can solve both population growth rate and doubling time formulas. These have been on many AP exams
Chapter 8 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand the rock cycle, plate tectonics and the properties of soil.
- The rock cycle, the layers of soil (O,A,B,C) and the environmental impacts of each type of mining have been on many AP exams
- the earth is a dynamic system making new land and losing land each year through plate tectonics.
- review the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and hydrologic cycles.
Chapter 9 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to be able to identify and describe water resources and to understand how humans are managing and using this resources
- Water is such an important concept in Environmental Science because it s central to our existence: wars have been fought over it, river have been dammed, some aquifers are not rechargeable and all of this leads to problems with endangered species and other environmental concerns.
- The information from this chapter is almost always on the AP exam
- Pay close attention to the three biggeset uses of water: agriculture, industry, municipal.
- Be sure to know what eutrophic is and what causes eutrophication.
- Familiarize yourself with the world's largest lakes, dams ( and the consequences of these dams) , and aquifers and place where desalinization cound be used
- Familiarize yourself with the Colorado Aqueduct system.
Chapter 10 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand the Tragedy of the Commons, public land management, and urban development.
- Be sure to understand the Tragedy of the Commons, negative externalities, timber harvest practices, urban blight and forest management and fires. These have all appeared on AP exams.
- Be able to describe the "pros and cons" of both clear-cutting and selective cutting
Chapter 11 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand hunger and malnutrition, aagriculture and the environmental impacts of different farming techniques.
- Review information about the human population from Chapter 7 and consider how modern farming practices have been developed to address the number of people on the planet
- Familiarize yourself with the benefits and costs of genetically modified crops, integrated pest management and the different techniques employed by this agricultural practice.
- Practice interpreting graphical information using figures 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3. Reading and interpreting graphs is almost certainly on the AP exam
- Familiarize yourself with DDT
- Be sure to understand what is meant by organic agriculture.
Chapter 12 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand how energy is used, what different nonrenewable resources are available, and how to calculate projections for future supplies of each.
- Focus on the advantages and disadvantages of each type of energy source (coal, oil, natural gas, carbon dioxide. Table 12.2 on page 337 is a good reference for this. For example: coal is abundant, energy-dense, easy to get, and relatively inexpensive. However coal has impurities that are released into the atmosphere when it is burned, it leaves behind large deposits of ash, and contributes to the increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide.
- Be sure you can describe how electricity is made from both coal and nuclear power plant.
- Be sure you know the parts of a power plant. Figures 12.7 and 12.8 on page 333 will help you with this.
- Many students mix up fission and fusion. We use fission, not fusion. Fusion is being researched but is not a feasible yet.
- The AP exam often has an energy math question like the "Do the Math" on page 324.
- Half-lives may be hard to understand. This chart may help:
Chapter 13 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand what renewable energy is and to be able to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
- Energy topics cover 10-15% of the AP exam
- Be familiar with the difference between passive and active solar systems.
- Table 13.1 on page 368-369 is a good review.
- Be sure to understand how energy is gained from each renewable energy source.
- Keep in mind that there is a trade-off with renewable energy in that right now it is less energy efficient. Also, even renewable energy sources have an impact on the environment.
- Be sure you are familiar with the use of scientific notation.
Chapter 14 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand the different substances that pollute our water resources and various ways we clean wastewater.
- Be sure to understand eutrophication and cultural eutrophication.
- Be aware that there are both anthropogenic and natural water pollutants.
- Familliarzie yourself with the steps of sewage treatment.
- Know the details of the Clean Water Act and use it on the exam when asked to describe a law designed to protect rivers, lakes, groundwater, and wetlands.
Chapter 15 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand the major indoor and outdoor air pollutants, smog, and ozone depletion.
- Be sure to know, in detail, stratospheric ozone depletion-the causes, the chemical formulas, the effects, etc.
- Be sure to understand the difference between stratospheric ozone and ground level ozone.
- Be sure to understand how primary and secondary pollutants are formed.
- Please understand that ozone depletion and global warming are NOT the same thing. They involved different chemicals, have different causes, different effects, and involve different layers of the atmosphere.
- A tip for the AP exam: if you are asked to name anything to do with pollutants, be very specific. Do not just say "air pollutants." You must name the pollutants and what that pollutant does to cause air pollution.
- The table below may help you organize your thoughts about ozone depletion. DO NOT fill it out until we have discussed it in class; that way you can test your understanding.
Chapter 16 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand what constitutes waste and how we deal with the pollution associated with it.
- Be familiar with figure 16.5
- Be sure to understand the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- Be sure to know how a landfill works, how leachate and methane are collected, and how landfills are designed in layers to prevent contamination.Figure 16.4 will be a help with this.
- Be able to describe REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. Reduce= generating less waste in the first place ( the most desireable option) ; reuse = use it over and over again ( next most desireable option) ; recycle = when we are done with it, turn it back into its raw materials.( uses the most energy of the three Rs but still better than throwing it away)
- Be familiar with brownfields and integrated land management
Chapter 17 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand human health risks, infectious disease, toxic chemicals and risk analysis.
- Be sure to understand mercury, lead and other toxic chemicals and their effects on the human body.
- The information in this chapter is frequently on the AP exam.
- Be sure to be able to distinguish between biomagnification and bioaccumulation. ( Bioaccumulation is within a single organism while biomagnification is moving up the food chain.
- Be sure to understand LD50 from our lab.
- Making a table like the one below may help you organize the information:
Chapter 18 tips and info
I: invasive species
P: pollution
C: climate change
O: overharvesting
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to biodiversity, with a focus on consservation.
- Be sure to understand the causes of biodiversity and the laws involved that protect species.
- The most important law is the Endangered Species Act.
- Be sure to understand what invasive species are and what problems they pose for an ecosystem and its native species.
- On the AP exam, if you are asked to describe a law that has anything to do with animal or plant species that are decreasing, you should use the Endangered Species Act
- To remember the causes of biodiversity loss, use the following:
I: invasive species
P: pollution
C: climate change
O: overharvesting
Chapter 19 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand the concepts of global change, global climate change, and global warming.
- You need to have a firm grasp on the ways human actions affect global change and impact of these actions on the environment.
- Climate change has shown up on the FRQs almost every year.
- Be sure to understand that there are also natural causes of climate change.
- Pay close attention to figures 19.2, figure 19.7, 19.10 and 19.13 as these all explain concepts well and similiar figures have appeared on the AP exam.
- Specifically with figure 19.13, be able to discuss the current level of atmospheric carbon dioxide and the implications of that level compared with the historical ones.
- Once again, be sure to understand that global warming and ozone depletion are two entirely different environmental issues. Students get these mixed up on the AP exam very frequently.
- The following chart may help you keep these two issues straight. Fill this out after we cover the topic to test your knowledge.
Chapter 20 tips and info
- The main objective of this chapter is for you to understand the costs of economic activity on the environment and on human well-being. You should make a connection between economic costs and environmental protection together with social ramifications. You should also be familiar with laws designed to protect the environment and human beings.
- Please understand that no environmental problem or solution can be solved without using economic means.
- Table 20.1 on page 562 is very important.
- You should also understand that economic principles do not only apply to business decision making but since economics is the study of scarcity and choice, it provides a useful framework for making environmental decisions.
- Be sure to understand the concepts of GDP and externalities.