AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Aquaculture

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Aquaculture, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the role of feed conversion ratio (FCR) in aquaculture?

Answer: FCR measures the efficiency of converting feed into biomass. Lower FCR indicates more efficient and profitable operations.

Flashcard 2: Name one type of freshwater aquaculture.

Answer: Cage culture is a type of freshwater aquaculture. Uses enclosed nets suspended in ponds or lakes.

Flashcard 3: Name one potential negative impact of aquaculture on wild populations.

Answer: Genetic contamination is a potential negative impact. Escaped farmed fish may interbreed with wild populations.

Flashcard 4: Identify one sustainable practice in aquaculture.

Answer: Using plant-based feeds is a sustainable practice. Reduces dependence on wild fish for feed production.

Flashcard 5: What is aquaculture?

Answer: Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic organisms for food or resources. Farming fish, shellfish, and plants in controlled aquatic environments.

Flashcard 6: What is polyculture in aquaculture?

Answer: Polyculture is cultivating multiple species in the same environment. Maximizes space efficiency and can improve water quality.

Flashcard 7: What is the main concern with antibiotic use in aquaculture?

Answer: Antibiotic resistance is the main concern. Overuse creates resistant bacteria that threaten human health.

Flashcard 8: Identify a challenge faced by aquaculture.

Answer: Disease management is a challenge faced by aquaculture. Dense populations increase disease transmission and treatment costs.

Flashcard 9: Identify one type of shellfish commonly farmed in aquaculture.

Answer: Oysters are commonly farmed shellfish. Filter feeders that improve water quality while growing.

Flashcard 10: What is the main purpose of aquaculture?

Answer: The main purpose is to produce food and resources like fish, shellfish, and seaweed. Meets global protein demand while reducing pressure on wild fisheries.

Flashcard 11: What is integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA)?

Answer: IMTA is the co-cultivation of species from different trophic levels. Combines fed species with filter feeders to reduce waste.

Flashcard 12: What is a fishmeal in the context of aquaculture?

Answer: Fishmeal is a protein-rich feed made from fish. Ground fish used as primary protein source in aquaculture feeds.

Flashcard 13: Which method of aquaculture is practiced in tanks or enclosures?

Answer: Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is practiced in tanks. Provides controlled environment with water filtration and reuse.

Flashcard 14: Identify one sustainable practice in aquaculture.

Answer: Using plant-based feeds is a sustainable practice. Reduces dependence on wild fish for feed production.

Flashcard 15: Name a method of aquaculture.

Answer: Pond culture is a method of aquaculture. Uses controlled water bodies for fish cultivation and management.

Flashcard 16: What does the term 'stocking density' refer to in aquaculture?

Answer: Stocking density is the number of organisms per unit area or volume. Higher densities can reduce growth rates and increase stress.

Flashcard 17: What is the purpose of biofilters in aquaculture?

Answer: Biofilters remove waste products like ammonia from the water. Convert toxic ammonia to less harmful nitrates through bacteria.

Flashcard 18: What is the role of a hatchery in fish farming?

Answer: Hatcheries produce young fish for stocking in fish farms. Controlled breeding ensures genetic quality and disease resistance.

Flashcard 19: Name a benefit of aquaculture.

Answer: Aquaculture provides a sustainable food source. Reduces overfishing pressure on wild fish populations.

Flashcard 20: Name one factor that affects the pH of aquaculture systems.

Answer: Carbon dioxide levels affect the pH. Higher $CO_2$ levels lower pH, affecting fish health.

Flashcard 21: Identify a major economic benefit of aquaculture.

Answer: Aquaculture generates employment and boosts local economies. Creates jobs in rural areas and supports coastal communities.

Flashcard 22: What is the purpose of grading in aquaculture?

Answer: Grading sorts organisms by size for optimal growth conditions. Prevents competition and allows targeted feeding strategies.

Flashcard 23: Which type of aquaculture is practiced in freshwater environments?

Answer: Pond aquaculture is practiced in freshwater environments. Utilizes natural or artificial ponds for fish cultivation.

Flashcard 24: What is the main nutrient concern in aquaculture waste?

Answer: Excess nitrogen and phosphorus are the main nutrient concerns. Can cause eutrophication and algal blooms in water bodies.

Flashcard 25: What is the role of phytoplankton in aquaculture systems?

Answer: Phytoplankton provide a primary food source in aquaculture systems. Form the base of aquatic food webs and oxygen production.

Flashcard 26: Identify a species commonly used in marine aquaculture.

Answer: Atlantic salmon is commonly used in marine aquaculture. High-value species widely farmed in net pens globally.

Flashcard 27: Name one potential negative impact of aquaculture on wild populations.

Answer: Genetic contamination is a potential negative impact. Escaped farmed fish may interbreed with wild populations.

Flashcard 28: Which method of aquaculture is practiced in tanks or enclosures?

Answer: Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is practiced in tanks. Provides controlled environment with water filtration and reuse.

Flashcard 29: What is the effect of overfeeding in aquaculture?

Answer: Overfeeding can lead to water pollution and waste. Excess feed decomposes, depleting oxygen and releasing toxins.

Flashcard 30: Identify a major economic benefit of aquaculture.

Answer: Aquaculture generates employment and boosts local economies. Creates jobs in rural areas and supports coastal communities.

Flashcard 31: What is the role of phytoplankton in aquaculture systems?

Answer: Phytoplankton provide a primary food source in aquaculture systems. Form the base of aquatic food webs and oxygen production.

Flashcard 32: Identify one factor that influences the growth rate of aquaculture species.

Answer: Water temperature influences growth rates. Optimal temperatures maximize metabolism and feed conversion efficiency.

Flashcard 33: Identify one method to manage disease in aquaculture.

Answer: Vaccination is a method to manage disease in aquaculture. Prevents disease outbreaks that can devastate farm populations.

Flashcard 34: What is the difference between aquaculture and capture fisheries?

Answer: Aquaculture involves cultivation; capture fisheries involve wild catching. Controlled farming versus harvesting from natural populations.

Flashcard 35: Identify a challenge faced by aquaculture.

Answer: Disease management is a challenge faced by aquaculture. Dense populations increase disease transmission and treatment costs.

Flashcard 36: Identify one method to reduce environmental impacts of aquaculture.

Answer: Implementing waste management systems reduces impacts. Proper treatment prevents nutrient pollution and ecosystem damage.

Flashcard 37: What is the difference between aquaculture and capture fisheries?

Answer: Aquaculture involves cultivation; capture fisheries involve wild catching. Controlled farming versus harvesting from natural populations.

Flashcard 38: Identify one environmental impact of aquaculture.

Answer: Waste discharge is an environmental impact of aquaculture. Uneaten feed and fish waste can pollute surrounding waters.

Flashcard 39: What is the main concern with antibiotic use in aquaculture?

Answer: Antibiotic resistance is the main concern. Overuse creates resistant bacteria that threaten human health.

Flashcard 40: What role do hatcheries play in aquaculture?

Answer: Hatcheries produce juvenile fish for aquaculture operations. Ensures consistent supply and genetic quality for farming operations.

Flashcard 41: What is the effect of overfeeding in aquaculture?

Answer: Overfeeding can lead to water pollution and waste. Excess feed decomposes, depleting oxygen and releasing toxins.

Flashcard 42: What is mariculture?

Answer: Mariculture is aquaculture practiced in marine environments. Saltwater farming that utilizes ocean and coastal environments.

Flashcard 43: What is the main use of seaweed in aquaculture?

Answer: Seaweed is used for food and biofuel production. Valuable for nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.

Flashcard 44: Identify one common species cultivated in aquaculture.

Answer: Tilapia is a common species cultivated in aquaculture. Hardy, fast-growing fish ideal for farming in various environments.

Flashcard 45: What is mariculture?

Answer: Mariculture is aquaculture practiced in marine environments. Saltwater farming that utilizes ocean and coastal environments.

Flashcard 46: What is the significance of dissolved oxygen in aquaculture?

Answer: Dissolved oxygen is crucial for the respiration of aquatic organisms. Essential for cellular respiration and metabolic processes.

Flashcard 47: What is the role of feed conversion ratio (FCR) in aquaculture?

Answer: FCR measures the efficiency of converting feed into biomass. Lower FCR indicates more efficient and profitable operations.

Flashcard 48: What is aquaculture?

Answer: Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic organisms for food or resources. Farming fish, shellfish, and plants in controlled aquatic environments.

Flashcard 49: What is the purpose of aeration in aquaculture systems?

Answer: Aeration increases dissolved oxygen levels in the water. Fish require adequate oxygen levels for survival and growth.

Flashcard 50: Identify one advantage of a recirculating aquaculture system.

Answer: RAS minimizes water use and waste discharge. Enables year-round production with controlled water parameters.

Flashcard 51: Identify one method to reduce environmental impacts of aquaculture.

Answer: Implementing waste management systems reduces impacts. Proper treatment prevents nutrient pollution and ecosystem damage.

Flashcard 52: Identify one factor that influences the growth rate of aquaculture species.

Answer: Water temperature influences growth rates. Optimal temperatures maximize metabolism and feed conversion efficiency.

Flashcard 53: What does the term 'stocking density' refer to in aquaculture?

Answer: Stocking density is the number of organisms per unit area or volume. Higher densities can reduce growth rates and increase stress.

Flashcard 54: Identify one advantage of a recirculating aquaculture system.

Answer: RAS minimizes water use and waste discharge. Enables year-round production with controlled water parameters.

Flashcard 55: What is the significance of dissolved oxygen in aquaculture?

Answer: Dissolved oxygen is crucial for the respiration of aquatic organisms. Essential for cellular respiration and metabolic processes.

Flashcard 56: Identify one method to manage disease in aquaculture.

Answer: Vaccination is a method to manage disease in aquaculture. Prevents disease outbreaks that can devastate farm populations.

Flashcard 57: What is a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)?

Answer: RAS is a closed-loop system that filters and reuses water. Maximizes water efficiency and controls environmental conditions.

Flashcard 58: What is the main use of seaweed in aquaculture?

Answer: Seaweed is used for food and biofuel production. Valuable for nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.

Flashcard 59: What is the significance of water quality in aquaculture?

Answer: Good water quality is essential for organism health and growth. Poor quality leads to disease, stress, and mortality.

Flashcard 60: Identify one type of shellfish commonly farmed in aquaculture.

Answer: Oysters are commonly farmed shellfish. Filter feeders that improve water quality while growing.

Flashcard 61: Which type of aquaculture is practiced in freshwater environments?

Answer: Pond aquaculture is practiced in freshwater environments. Utilizes natural or artificial ponds for fish cultivation.

Flashcard 62: What is a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)?

Answer: RAS is a closed-loop system that filters and reuses water. Maximizes water efficiency and controls environmental conditions.