AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Human Impacts On Biodiversity

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Human Impacts On Biodiversity, 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: Which option describes genetic diversity?

Answer: Variation in genes within a species. Genetic variety within populations of same species.

Flashcard 2: What is the significance of keystone species?

Answer: They play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning. Their loss causes disproportionate ecosystem collapse.

Flashcard 3: How does climate change affect biodiversity?

Answer: It alters habitats and causes species migration. Temperature changes force species to relocate.

Flashcard 4: How does noise pollution affect wildlife?

Answer: It disrupts communication and breeding behaviors. Loud sounds interfere with animal activities.

Flashcard 5: Which treaty aims to protect biodiversity globally?

Answer: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). International agreement for conservation efforts.

Flashcard 6: Identify a consequence of global warming on species distribution.

Answer: Shifts in the range of species' habitats. Temperature increases force range shifts.

Flashcard 7: What is the role of conservation biology?

Answer: To study and protect biodiversity. Scientific field focused on preserving species.

Flashcard 8: Identify the primary cause of habitat destruction.

Answer: Human activities such as agriculture and urbanization. Human development destroys natural ecosystems.

Flashcard 9: Which human activity is a major cause of deforestation?

Answer: Logging for timber and land clearing for agriculture. Both remove trees and clear forested areas.

Flashcard 10: What is the role of conservation biology?

Answer: To study and protect biodiversity. Scientific field focused on preserving species.

Flashcard 11: What is the result of coral bleaching on marine ecosystems?

Answer: Loss of biodiversity in coral reef habitats. Stressed corals expel algae, often dying.

Flashcard 12: Identify a benefit of maintaining biodiversity.

Answer: Increases ecosystem resilience and productivity. More species provide stability and services.

Flashcard 13: What is the impact of industrial agriculture on biodiversity?

Answer: It leads to habitat loss and pollution. Large-scale farming destroys natural ecosystems.

Flashcard 14: Name a key method for protecting endangered species.

Answer: Establishing protected areas and wildlife reserves. Safe zones prevent habitat loss and hunting.

Flashcard 15: How does acid rain affect biodiversity?

Answer: It damages ecosystems and reduces species survival. Acidic precipitation harms plants and aquatic life.

Flashcard 16: Identify a benefit of maintaining biodiversity.

Answer: Increases ecosystem resilience and productivity. More species provide stability and services.

Flashcard 17: How does acid rain affect biodiversity?

Answer: It damages ecosystems and reduces species survival. Acidic precipitation harms plants and aquatic life.

Flashcard 18: Identify a major effect of urbanization on biodiversity.

Answer: Loss of habitat and increased pollution. Cities replace natural habitats with infrastructure.

Flashcard 19: What is the result of monoculture farming on biodiversity?

Answer: It reduces genetic and species diversity. Single crops eliminate habitat variety.

Flashcard 20: Which greenhouse gas is most associated with human activity?

Answer: Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Released primarily from fossil fuel combustion.

Flashcard 21: How does land conversion for agriculture impact biodiversity?

Answer: Results in habitat destruction and species loss. Natural ecosystems replaced with farmland.

Flashcard 22: Which practice leads to the introduction of invasive species?

Answer: Global trade and transportation. Ships and cargo accidentally transport species.

Flashcard 23: Which option describes genetic diversity?

Answer: Variation in genes within a species. Genetic variety within populations of same species.

Flashcard 24: What is the impact of plastic pollution on marine life?

Answer: Ingestion and entanglement harm marine organisms. Animals eat plastic or get trapped in debris.

Flashcard 25: What is the effect of overfishing on marine biodiversity?

Answer: It reduces fish populations and disrupts ecosystems. Removes fish faster than they can reproduce.

Flashcard 26: Which human activity is a major cause of deforestation?

Answer: Logging for timber and land clearing for agriculture. Both remove trees and clear forested areas.

Flashcard 27: What is an invasive species?

Answer: Non-native species that cause harm to ecosystems. Outcompete native species and disrupt food webs.

Flashcard 28: What is the result of monoculture farming on biodiversity?

Answer: It reduces genetic and species diversity. Single crops eliminate habitat variety.

Flashcard 29: What is the impact of industrial agriculture on biodiversity?

Answer: It leads to habitat loss and pollution. Large-scale farming destroys natural ecosystems.

Flashcard 30: Which practice leads to the introduction of invasive species?

Answer: Global trade and transportation. Ships and cargo accidentally transport species.

Flashcard 31: What is a wildlife corridor?

Answer: A passage that connects fragmented habitats. Links separated habitat areas for movement.

Flashcard 32: Identify a consequence of global warming on species distribution.

Answer: Shifts in the range of species' habitats. Temperature increases force range shifts.

Flashcard 33: Which process leads to desertification?

Answer: Overgrazing and unsustainable land use practices. Degradation turns fertile land into desert.

Flashcard 34: What is biodiversity?

Answer: The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat. Encompasses all living organisms and their genetic variations.

Flashcard 35: What is the effect of overfishing on marine biodiversity?

Answer: It reduces fish populations and disrupts ecosystems. Removes fish faster than they can reproduce.

Flashcard 36: Identify a major effect of urbanization on biodiversity.

Answer: Loss of habitat and increased pollution. Cities replace natural habitats with infrastructure.

Flashcard 37: What is the significance of keystone species?

Answer: They play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning. Their loss causes disproportionate ecosystem collapse.

Flashcard 38: How does pollution affect biodiversity?

Answer: It contaminates habitats and affects species health. Toxic substances harm organisms and habitats.

Flashcard 39: What is the role of an ecological footprint in biodiversity loss?

Answer: Measures human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Quantifies resource consumption impact.

Flashcard 40: What is the principle of sustainable development?

Answer: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations. Balances current use with future availability.

Flashcard 41: Which conservation practice involves habitat restoration?

Answer: Reforestation and wetland rehabilitation. Rebuilds damaged natural ecosystems.

Flashcard 42: How does noise pollution affect wildlife?

Answer: It disrupts communication and breeding behaviors. Loud sounds interfere with animal activities.

Flashcard 43: Identify a strategy to mitigate climate change effects on biodiversity.

Answer: Creating wildlife corridors to facilitate migration. Connects habitats to enable species movement.

Flashcard 44: Identify a human activity that leads to soil erosion.

Answer: Deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices. Both remove protective vegetation cover.

Flashcard 45: What is the result of coral bleaching on marine ecosystems?

Answer: Loss of biodiversity in coral reef habitats. Stressed corals expel algae, often dying.

Flashcard 46: What is a wildlife corridor?

Answer: A passage that connects fragmented habitats. Links separated habitat areas for movement.

Flashcard 47: How does poaching affect biodiversity?

Answer: It reduces populations of targeted species. Illegal hunting decreases endangered species numbers.

Flashcard 48: What is biodiversity?

Answer: The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat. Encompasses all living organisms and their genetic variations.

Flashcard 49: Which conservation practice involves habitat restoration?

Answer: Reforestation and wetland rehabilitation. Rebuilds damaged natural ecosystems.

Flashcard 50: Identify a consequence of agricultural runoff.

Answer: Eutrophication leading to dead zones in water bodies. Excess nutrients cause oxygen depletion.

Flashcard 51: Which greenhouse gas is most associated with human activity?

Answer: Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Released primarily from fossil fuel combustion.

Flashcard 52: What is habitat fragmentation?

Answer: The breaking of habitats into smaller, isolated patches. Isolates populations and reduces gene flow.

Flashcard 53: Identify a human activity that leads to soil erosion.

Answer: Deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices. Both remove protective vegetation cover.

Flashcard 54: What is an invasive species?

Answer: Non-native species that cause harm to ecosystems. Outcompete native species and disrupt food webs.

Flashcard 55: How does climate change affect biodiversity?

Answer: It alters habitats and causes species migration. Temperature changes force species to relocate.

Flashcard 56: How does poaching affect biodiversity?

Answer: It reduces populations of targeted species. Illegal hunting decreases endangered species numbers.

Flashcard 57: Name a key method for protecting endangered species.

Answer: Establishing protected areas and wildlife reserves. Safe zones prevent habitat loss and hunting.

Flashcard 58: How do pesticides impact biodiversity?

Answer: They can harm non-target species and reduce diversity. Chemicals kill beneficial insects and soil organisms.

Flashcard 59: Identify a strategy to mitigate climate change effects on biodiversity.

Answer: Creating wildlife corridors to facilitate migration. Connects habitats to enable species movement.

Flashcard 60: How does pollution affect biodiversity?

Answer: It contaminates habitats and affects species health. Toxic substances harm organisms and habitats.

Flashcard 61: What is the impact of oil spills on marine life?

Answer: Oil spills harm marine organisms and habitats. Toxic substances coat organisms and destroy habitats.

Flashcard 62: Which treaty aims to protect biodiversity globally?

Answer: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). International agreement for conservation efforts.

Flashcard 63: What is habitat fragmentation?

Answer: The breaking of habitats into smaller, isolated patches. Isolates populations and reduces gene flow.

Flashcard 64: How does tourism affect biodiversity?

Answer: Can lead to habitat disturbance and pollution. Human activities can damage fragile ecosystems.

Flashcard 65: What is the principle of sustainable development?

Answer: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations. Balances current use with future availability.

Flashcard 66: Which process leads to desertification?

Answer: Overgrazing and unsustainable land use practices. Degradation turns fertile land into desert.

Flashcard 67: What is the impact of plastic pollution on marine life?

Answer: Ingestion and entanglement harm marine organisms. Animals eat plastic or get trapped in debris.

Flashcard 68: What is the primary source of ocean acidification?

Answer: Increased $CO_2$ absorption by the ocean. Dissolves in seawater, lowering ocean pH.

Flashcard 69: Identify the primary cause of habitat destruction.

Answer: Human activities such as agriculture and urbanization. Human development destroys natural ecosystems.

Flashcard 70: How does tourism affect biodiversity?

Answer: Can lead to habitat disturbance and pollution. Human activities can damage fragile ecosystems.

Flashcard 71: How do pesticides impact biodiversity?

Answer: They can harm non-target species and reduce diversity. Chemicals kill beneficial insects and soil organisms.

Flashcard 72: What is the role of an ecological footprint in biodiversity loss?

Answer: Measures human demand on Earth's ecosystems. Quantifies resource consumption impact.

Flashcard 73: Identify a consequence of agricultural runoff.

Answer: Eutrophication leading to dead zones in water bodies. Excess nutrients cause oxygen depletion.

Flashcard 74: What is the primary source of ocean acidification?

Answer: Increased $CO_2$ absorption by the ocean. Dissolves in seawater, lowering ocean pH.

Flashcard 75: What is the impact of oil spills on marine life?

Answer: Oil spills harm marine organisms and habitats. Toxic substances coat organisms and destroy habitats.

Flashcard 76: How does land conversion for agriculture impact biodiversity?

Answer: Results in habitat destruction and species loss. Natural ecosystems replaced with farmland.