AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Human Impacts On Wetlands And Mangroves

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Human Impacts On Wetlands And Mangroves, 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 a significant effect of wetland drainage on local climates?

Answer: Increased temperature variability. Loss of water bodies reduces temperature moderation.

Flashcard 2: Name a negative impact of tourism on wetlands.

Answer: Habitat disturbance. Trampling and pollution degrade sensitive habitats.

Flashcard 3: What is the primary effect of coastal development on mangroves?

Answer: Habitat loss. Building destroys mangrove habitat directly.

Flashcard 4: Identify a benefit of wetland restoration.

Answer: Improved water quality. Restored wetlands filter pollutants from water.

Flashcard 5: What is the effect of increased carbon emissions on wetlands?

Answer: Enhanced greenhouse effect. Climate change affects wetland water levels.

Flashcard 6: Identify one role of mangroves in coastal protection.

Answer: Wave attenuation. Dense root systems reduce wave energy and protect shores.

Flashcard 7: What is a direct effect of oil spills on mangroves?

Answer: Root suffocation. Oil coats roots, preventing oxygen exchange.

Flashcard 8: Which human action can lead to wetland acidification?

Answer: Acid rain deposition. Sulfur compounds lower pH of wetland water.

Flashcard 9: Identify a benefit of wetland restoration.

Answer: Improved water quality. Restored wetlands filter pollutants from water.

Flashcard 10: Which human-induced factor reduces dissolved oxygen in wetlands?

Answer: Nutrient pollution. Excess nutrients cause algal blooms that consume oxygen.

Flashcard 11: Identify one consequence of wetland drainage.

Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Eliminates critical habitat for numerous species.

Flashcard 12: What is a primary human activity threatening wetlands?

Answer: Urban development. Converts natural habitats to housing and commercial areas.

Flashcard 13: Name a policy measure to protect wetlands.

Answer: Establishment of protected areas. Legal designation prevents development and destruction.

Flashcard 14: What is a consequence of mangrove removal on coastal erosion?

Answer: Increased erosion rates. Loss of natural barriers accelerates shore erosion.

Flashcard 15: Identify a reason for the conversion of wetlands to agriculture.

Answer: Increased food production. Agriculture provides economic incentive for conversion.

Flashcard 16: What is the primary effect of coastal development on mangroves?

Answer: Habitat loss. Building destroys mangrove habitat directly.

Flashcard 17: What is a natural service provided by wetlands?

Answer: Water filtration. Plants and sediments trap pollutants and purify water.

Flashcard 18: Which human action can lead to wetland acidification?

Answer: Acid rain deposition. Sulfur compounds lower pH of wetland water.

Flashcard 19: What is a method to mitigate human impact on mangroves?

Answer: Reforestation. Replanting mangroves restores ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 20: What is the role of mangroves in carbon storage?

Answer: Sequestration in biomass and soil. Mangroves trap carbon in roots, trunks, and soil.

Flashcard 21: What is a common pollutant found in wetlands?

Answer: Heavy metals. Toxic metals from industry accumulate in sediments.

Flashcard 22: Name an ecosystem service of mangroves related to fishery.

Answer: Nursery habitats. Provide safe breeding grounds for fish species.

Flashcard 23: State an effect of increased salinity in wetlands.

Answer: Decreased plant diversity. Salt stress kills plants not adapted to saline conditions.

Flashcard 24: What is the main cause of mangrove deforestation?

Answer: Aquaculture expansion. Shrimp and fish farming requires clearing mangrove forests.

Flashcard 25: Which process is affected by wetland destruction?

Answer: Carbon sequestration. Wetlands store carbon in soils and biomass.

Flashcard 26: Identify one consequence of wetland drainage.

Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Eliminates critical habitat for numerous species.

Flashcard 27: Identify an ecosystem service provided by intact mangroves.

Answer: Storm surge protection. Acts as natural barrier against hurricane damage.

Flashcard 28: Which human activity leads to increased nutrient loading in wetlands?

Answer: Fertilizer application. Adds excess nitrogen and phosphorus to water.

Flashcard 29: Identify the main pollutant from agricultural runoff affecting wetlands.

Answer: Phosphorus. Fertilizers contain phosphorus that causes algal blooms.

Flashcard 30: Which human activity accelerates wetland subsidence?

Answer: Groundwater extraction. Lowering water table causes land to sink.

Flashcard 31: Identify an effect of climate change on mangroves.

Answer: Sea level rise. Higher water levels threaten mangrove survival.

Flashcard 32: Identify the main pollutant from agricultural runoff affecting wetlands.

Answer: Phosphorus. Fertilizers contain phosphorus that causes algal blooms.

Flashcard 33: What is the impact of road construction on wetlands?

Answer: Habitat fragmentation. Divides continuous habitat into isolated patches.

Flashcard 34: Identify an effect of climate change on mangroves.

Answer: Sea level rise. Higher water levels threaten mangrove survival.

Flashcard 35: What is one effect of pesticides on wetland ecosystems?

Answer: Toxicity to aquatic life. Chemicals harm fish, amphibians, and other organisms.

Flashcard 36: What is the effect of rising sea levels on mangroves?

Answer: Increased inundation. Higher water levels can drown mangrove roots.

Flashcard 37: Which human activity leads to increased nutrient loading in wetlands?

Answer: Fertilizer application. Adds excess nitrogen and phosphorus to water.

Flashcard 38: What is a significant effect of wetland drainage on local climates?

Answer: Increased temperature variability. Loss of water bodies reduces temperature moderation.

Flashcard 39: Name a negative impact of tourism on wetlands.

Answer: Habitat disturbance. Trampling and pollution degrade sensitive habitats.

Flashcard 40: What is a direct effect of oil spills on mangroves?

Answer: Root suffocation. Oil coats roots, preventing oxygen exchange.

Flashcard 41: Identify the consequence of industrial waste discharge into wetlands.

Answer: Chemical contamination. Toxic substances poison plants and animals.

Flashcard 42: What is a common pollutant found in wetlands?

Answer: Heavy metals. Toxic metals from industry accumulate in sediments.

Flashcard 43: What is the effect of increased carbon emissions on wetlands?

Answer: Enhanced greenhouse effect. Climate change affects wetland water levels.

Flashcard 44: Which human activity accelerates wetland subsidence?

Answer: Groundwater extraction. Lowering water table causes land to sink.

Flashcard 45: Which nutrient often causes eutrophication in wetlands?

Answer: Nitrogen. Excess nitrogen depletes oxygen and kills aquatic life.

Flashcard 46: What is the effect of rising sea levels on mangroves?

Answer: Increased inundation. Higher water levels can drown mangrove roots.

Flashcard 47: Identify one role of mangroves in coastal protection.

Answer: Wave attenuation. Dense root systems reduce wave energy and protect shores.

Flashcard 48: Which greenhouse gas is sequestered by wetlands?

Answer: Carbon dioxide. Stored in wetland soils and plant biomass.

Flashcard 49: What is an indirect consequence of overfishing near mangroves?

Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Disrupts food webs by removing key species.

Flashcard 50: Identify a reason for the conversion of wetlands to agriculture.

Answer: Increased food production. Agriculture provides economic incentive for conversion.

Flashcard 51: Which human-induced factor reduces dissolved oxygen in wetlands?

Answer: Nutrient pollution. Excess nutrients cause algal blooms that consume oxygen.

Flashcard 52: Name an adaptive measure for protecting wetlands from sea-level rise.

Answer: Building levees. Artificial barriers protect against flooding.

Flashcard 53: What is the role of mangroves in carbon storage?

Answer: Sequestration in biomass and soil. Mangroves trap carbon in roots, trunks, and soil.

Flashcard 54: What is a consequence of mangrove removal on coastal erosion?

Answer: Increased erosion rates. Loss of natural barriers accelerates shore erosion.

Flashcard 55: Which human activity leads to increased sedimentation in wetlands?

Answer: Deforestation. Removes vegetation that prevents soil erosion.

Flashcard 56: Identify an ecosystem service provided by intact mangroves.

Answer: Storm surge protection. Acts as natural barrier against hurricane damage.

Flashcard 57: What is the impact of road construction on wetlands?

Answer: Habitat fragmentation. Divides continuous habitat into isolated patches.

Flashcard 58: Which nutrient often causes eutrophication in wetlands?

Answer: Nitrogen. Excess nitrogen depletes oxygen and kills aquatic life.

Flashcard 59: What is one effect of pesticides on wetland ecosystems?

Answer: Toxicity to aquatic life. Chemicals harm fish, amphibians, and other organisms.

Flashcard 60: Which greenhouse gas is sequestered by wetlands?

Answer: Carbon dioxide. Stored in wetland soils and plant biomass.

Flashcard 61: Which process is affected by wetland destruction?

Answer: Carbon sequestration. Wetlands store carbon in soils and biomass.

Flashcard 62: What is a primary human activity threatening wetlands?

Answer: Urban development. Converts natural habitats to housing and commercial areas.

Flashcard 63: Name an ecosystem service of mangroves related to fishery.

Answer: Nursery habitats. Provide safe breeding grounds for fish species.

Flashcard 64: Name one invasive species threatening wetlands.

Answer: Purple loosestrife. Non-native species that outcompetes native plants.

Flashcard 65: Name a policy measure to protect wetlands.

Answer: Establishment of protected areas. Legal designation prevents development and destruction.

Flashcard 66: State an effect of increased salinity in wetlands.

Answer: Decreased plant diversity. Salt stress kills plants not adapted to saline conditions.

Flashcard 67: What is an indirect consequence of overfishing near mangroves?

Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Disrupts food webs by removing key species.

Flashcard 68: Identify the consequence of industrial waste discharge into wetlands.

Answer: Chemical contamination. Toxic substances poison plants and animals.

Flashcard 69: What is the main cause of mangrove deforestation?

Answer: Aquaculture expansion. Shrimp and fish farming requires clearing mangrove forests.

Flashcard 70: Name an adaptive measure for protecting wetlands from sea-level rise.

Answer: Building levees. Artificial barriers protect against flooding.

Flashcard 71: Name one invasive species threatening wetlands.

Answer: Purple loosestrife. Non-native species that outcompetes native plants.

Flashcard 72: What is a method to mitigate human impact on mangroves?

Answer: Reforestation. Replanting mangroves restores ecosystem functions.

Flashcard 73: What is a direct impact of freshwater diversion on wetlands?

Answer: Altered water balance. Reduces water availability for wetland ecosystems.

Flashcard 74: Which human activity leads to increased sedimentation in wetlands?

Answer: Deforestation. Removes vegetation that prevents soil erosion.

Flashcard 75: What is a direct impact of freshwater diversion on wetlands?

Answer: Altered water balance. Reduces water availability for wetland ecosystems.

Flashcard 76: Which factor increases erosion in mangrove ecosystems?

Answer: Removal of vegetation. Mangrove roots stabilize sediments against waves.

Flashcard 77: Which factor increases erosion in mangrove ecosystems?

Answer: Removal of vegetation. Mangrove roots stabilize sediments against waves.

Flashcard 78: What is a natural service provided by wetlands?

Answer: Water filtration. Plants and sediments trap pollutants and purify water.