AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Ecosystem Services

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Ecosystem Services, 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 provisioning ecosystem service?

Answer: Products obtained from ecosystems. Tangible resources directly harvested or extracted from natural systems.

Flashcard 2: What is supporting ecosystem service?

Answer: Services necessary for the production of all other services. Foundational processes that enable all other ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 3: How does deforestation affect ecosystem services?

Answer: Reduces carbon storage and biodiversity. Tree removal eliminates carbon storage and habitat provision.

Flashcard 4: How do mangroves contribute to ecosystem services?

Answer: Protect shorelines, support biodiversity. Coastal trees provide storm protection and nursery habitat.

Flashcard 5: Give an example of a provisioning service.

Answer: Food, fresh water, fuel, fiber. Essential resources directly extracted from natural ecosystems for survival.

Flashcard 6: What is the role of coral reefs in ecosystem services?

Answer: Protect coastlines from erosion. They act as natural barriers reducing wave energy and storm damage.

Flashcard 7: What is the contribution of forests to water regulation?

Answer: Regulate water flow and quality. Tree roots and canopy intercept rainfall and prevent runoff.

Flashcard 8: What is the role of bees in ecosystem services?

Answer: Pollination of crops and wild plants. Essential for plant reproduction and maintaining food webs.

Flashcard 9: What is the importance of genetic diversity in ecosystems?

Answer: Enhances adaptability to change. Genetic variation provides resilience against environmental stresses.

Flashcard 10: Identify an ecosystem service provided by grasslands.

Answer: Habitat for pollinators. Open areas provide nesting sites and food for pollinating insects.

Flashcard 11: What is cultural ecosystem service?

Answer: Non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems. Intangible benefits that enhance quality of life and well-being.

Flashcard 12: What is regulating ecosystem service?

Answer: Benefits from ecosystem processes regulation. Natural processes that control environmental conditions affecting humans.

Flashcard 13: What is regulating ecosystem service?

Answer: Benefits from ecosystem processes regulation. Natural processes that control environmental conditions affecting humans.

Flashcard 14: What is the contribution of forests to water regulation?

Answer: Regulate water flow and quality. Tree roots and canopy intercept rainfall and prevent runoff.

Flashcard 15: Which type of ecosystem service is pollination?

Answer: Regulating. Bees and other pollinators control plant reproduction processes.

Flashcard 16: How does agriculture impact ecosystem services?

Answer: Can deplete soil nutrients. Intensive farming practices can exhaust soil nutrients over time.

Flashcard 17: What role do ecosystems play in water purification?

Answer: Filter pollutants and sediments. Natural systems remove contaminants through biological and physical processes.

Flashcard 18: Which ecosystem service category does air purification belong to?

Answer: Regulating. Plants and ecosystems naturally filter and clean atmospheric pollutants.

Flashcard 19: What is the role of bees in ecosystem services?

Answer: Pollination of crops and wild plants. Essential for plant reproduction and maintaining food webs.

Flashcard 20: What is a consequence of overfishing on ecosystem services?

Answer: Depletion of fish stocks. Excessive harvesting reduces fish populations below sustainable levels.

Flashcard 21: Give an example of a provisioning service.

Answer: Food, fresh water, fuel, fiber. Essential resources directly extracted from natural ecosystems for survival.

Flashcard 22: What is the primary provisioning service of oceans?

Answer: Supply of seafood. Marine ecosystems are the primary source of fish protein globally.

Flashcard 23: How does air pollution impact ecosystem services?

Answer: Degrades air quality and health. Pollutants reduce ecosystem's ability to purify air naturally.

Flashcard 24: Identify a supporting service provided by freshwater ecosystems.

Answer: Habitat for aquatic species. Rivers and lakes provide breeding and nursery areas for wildlife.

Flashcard 25: What role do wetlands play in regulating services?

Answer: Act as natural water filters. They trap sediments and remove pollutants from water naturally.

Flashcard 26: What is the impact of urbanization on ecosystem services?

Answer: Reduces natural habitat and biodiversity. Cities replace natural systems that provided essential services.

Flashcard 27: What is the primary provisioning service of oceans?

Answer: Supply of seafood. Marine ecosystems are the primary source of fish protein globally.

Flashcard 28: Identify the four categories of ecosystem services.

Answer: Provisioning, Regulating, Cultural, Supporting. These represent the complete framework for categorizing all ecosystem benefits.

Flashcard 29: Which type of ecosystem service is pollination?

Answer: Regulating. Bees and other pollinators control plant reproduction processes.

Flashcard 30: What is a consequence of overfishing on ecosystem services?

Answer: Depletion of fish stocks. Excessive harvesting reduces fish populations below sustainable levels.

Flashcard 31: Give an example of a supporting service.

Answer: Soil formation, nutrient cycling. Essential ecological processes that underpin all ecosystem functioning.

Flashcard 32: How does soil erosion affect ecosystem services?

Answer: Reduces soil fertility and crop yield. Loss of topsoil decreases agricultural productivity and water quality.

Flashcard 33: How do ecosystems contribute to climate regulation?

Answer: Absorb and store carbon dioxide. Plants capture carbon from atmosphere during photosynthesis.

Flashcard 34: What are ecosystem services?

Answer: Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems. These encompass all ways nature directly and indirectly benefits human well-being.

Flashcard 35: Identify a regulating service provided by forests.

Answer: Carbon sequestration. Trees capture and store atmospheric carbon in biomass and soil.

Flashcard 36: What is the impact of urbanization on ecosystem services?

Answer: Reduces natural habitat and biodiversity. Cities replace natural systems that provided essential services.

Flashcard 37: Identify a benefit of healthy ocean ecosystems.

Answer: Sustain fish populations. Clean marine environments support productive fisheries and biodiversity.

Flashcard 38: Give an example of a cultural service.

Answer: Recreation, aesthetic, spiritual values. Intangible benefits that enrich human experience and meaning.

Flashcard 39: What is cultural ecosystem service?

Answer: Non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems. Intangible benefits that enhance quality of life and well-being.

Flashcard 40: How does habitat destruction affect ecosystem services?

Answer: Reduces biodiversity and resilience. Loss of habitat reduces species diversity and ecosystem stability.

Flashcard 41: What is provisioning ecosystem service?

Answer: Products obtained from ecosystems. Tangible resources directly harvested or extracted from natural systems.

Flashcard 42: How does climate change alter ecosystem services?

Answer: Disrupts balance and function. Shifting conditions alter species composition and ecosystem productivity.

Flashcard 43: How does deforestation affect ecosystem services?

Answer: Reduces carbon storage and biodiversity. Tree removal eliminates carbon storage and habitat provision.

Flashcard 44: Identify an ecosystem service provided by grasslands.

Answer: Habitat for pollinators. Open areas provide nesting sites and food for pollinating insects.

Flashcard 45: How does air pollution impact ecosystem services?

Answer: Degrades air quality and health. Pollutants reduce ecosystem's ability to purify air naturally.

Flashcard 46: What are ecosystem services?

Answer: Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems. These encompass all ways nature directly and indirectly benefits human well-being.

Flashcard 47: How does agriculture impact ecosystem services?

Answer: Can deplete soil nutrients. Intensive farming practices can exhaust soil nutrients over time.

Flashcard 48: How does biodiversity support ecosystem services?

Answer: Enhances resilience and productivity. More species create redundancy and stability in ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 49: What is the significance of wetlands in flood control?

Answer: Absorb excess water. Wetland soils and vegetation naturally absorb floodwater overflow.

Flashcard 50: What role do wetlands play in regulating services?

Answer: Act as natural water filters. They trap sediments and remove pollutants from water naturally.

Flashcard 51: Identify a cultural service provided by forests.

Answer: Spiritual significance for indigenous peoples. Sacred spaces provide connection to nature and cultural identity.

Flashcard 52: Which ecosystem service is affected by climate change?

Answer: All categories are impacted. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation affect all ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 53: Identify the four categories of ecosystem services.

Answer: Provisioning, Regulating, Cultural, Supporting. These represent the complete framework for categorizing all ecosystem benefits.

Flashcard 54: How does climate change alter ecosystem services?

Answer: Disrupts balance and function. Shifting conditions alter species composition and ecosystem productivity.

Flashcard 55: What is the role of coral reefs in ecosystem services?

Answer: Protect coastlines from erosion. They act as natural barriers reducing wave energy and storm damage.

Flashcard 56: Identify a regulating service provided by forests.

Answer: Carbon sequestration. Trees capture and store atmospheric carbon in biomass and soil.

Flashcard 57: Give an example of a regulating service.

Answer: Climate regulation, flood control. Natural processes that maintain stable environmental conditions.

Flashcard 58: Give an example of a supporting service.

Answer: Soil formation, nutrient cycling. Essential ecological processes that underpin all ecosystem functioning.

Flashcard 59: Give an example of a cultural service.

Answer: Recreation, aesthetic, spiritual values. Intangible benefits that enrich human experience and meaning.

Flashcard 60: How do mangroves contribute to ecosystem services?

Answer: Protect shorelines, support biodiversity. Coastal trees provide storm protection and nursery habitat.

Flashcard 61: How does soil erosion affect ecosystem services?

Answer: Reduces soil fertility and crop yield. Loss of topsoil decreases agricultural productivity and water quality.

Flashcard 62: What is the significance of nutrient cycling in ecosystems?

Answer: Supports growth of plants and organisms. Essential elements move through ecosystems enabling life processes.

Flashcard 63: What is the significance of nutrient cycling in ecosystems?

Answer: Supports growth of plants and organisms. Essential elements move through ecosystems enabling life processes.

Flashcard 64: How does biodiversity support ecosystem services?

Answer: Enhances resilience and productivity. More species create redundancy and stability in ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 65: What is the significance of wetlands in flood control?

Answer: Absorb excess water. Wetland soils and vegetation naturally absorb floodwater overflow.

Flashcard 66: What is supporting ecosystem service?

Answer: Services necessary for the production of all other services. Foundational processes that enable all other ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 67: Identify a benefit of healthy ocean ecosystems.

Answer: Sustain fish populations. Clean marine environments support productive fisheries and biodiversity.

Flashcard 68: How does habitat destruction affect ecosystem services?

Answer: Reduces biodiversity and resilience. Loss of habitat reduces species diversity and ecosystem stability.

Flashcard 69: Identify a cultural service provided by forests.

Answer: Spiritual significance for indigenous peoples. Sacred spaces provide connection to nature and cultural identity.

Flashcard 70: What is the importance of genetic diversity in ecosystems?

Answer: Enhances adaptability to change. Genetic variation provides resilience against environmental stresses.

Flashcard 71: Which type of ecosystem service is recreational fishing?

Answer: Cultural. Fishing for enjoyment provides non-material human well-being benefits.

Flashcard 72: What role do ecosystems play in water purification?

Answer: Filter pollutants and sediments. Natural systems remove contaminants through biological and physical processes.

Flashcard 73: Which ecosystem service is affected by climate change?

Answer: All categories are impacted. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation affect all ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 74: Give an example of a regulating service.

Answer: Climate regulation, flood control. Natural processes that maintain stable environmental conditions.

Flashcard 75: Which ecosystem service category does air purification belong to?

Answer: Regulating. Plants and ecosystems naturally filter and clean atmospheric pollutants.

Flashcard 76: Which type of ecosystem service is recreational fishing?

Answer: Cultural. Fishing for enjoyment provides non-material human well-being benefits.