AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Impacts Of Overfishing

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Impacts Of Overfishing, 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 precautionary principle in fisheries management?

Answer: It is managing fisheries conservatively to prevent overfishing. Err on the side of caution when scientific data is uncertain.

Flashcard 2: Explain the concept of 'fishing down the food web.'

Answer: It refers to targeting smaller, less valuable species as larger ones decline. Depleting top predators forces fishing of lower trophic levels.

Flashcard 3: How does overfishing contribute to habitat destruction?

Answer: Destructive fishing methods damage marine habitats. Methods like bottom trawling physically destroy seafloor habitats.

Flashcard 4: Why is international cooperation necessary in combating overfishing?

Answer: Fish migrate across borders, requiring coordinated management. Shared fish stocks require multinational management agreements.

Flashcard 5: What is bycatch?

Answer: Bycatch is the capture of non-target species during fishing. Unintentional catch that harms non-target marine life.

Flashcard 6: Identify one social impact of overfishing.

Answer: Loss of livelihoods for fishing communities. Fishing communities lose jobs when fish stocks decline.

Flashcard 7: How do marine reserves contribute to fish stock recovery?

Answer: They provide safe havens for fish populations to replenish. Protected areas act as breeding grounds for fish recovery.

Flashcard 8: How does overfishing affect biodiversity?

Answer: It reduces marine biodiversity. Overfishing removes species faster than they can recover.

Flashcard 9: What is the maximum sustainable yield (MSY)?

Answer: MSY is the largest catch that can be taken without depleting the stock. The optimal harvest level that maintains stable populations.

Flashcard 10: How do marine reserves contribute to fish stock recovery?

Answer: They provide safe havens for fish populations to replenish. Protected areas act as breeding grounds for fish recovery.

Flashcard 11: How does overfishing impact oceanic nutrient cycles?

Answer: It alters the balance of nutrient distribution in the ocean. Fish transport nutrients between different ocean zones.

Flashcard 12: What is aquaculture?

Answer: Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms for food. Fish farming can reduce pressure on wild fish stocks.

Flashcard 13: How does overfishing contribute to habitat destruction?

Answer: Destructive fishing methods damage marine habitats. Methods like bottom trawling physically destroy seafloor habitats.

Flashcard 14: What is a fishery collapse?

Answer: A fishery collapse is the decline of fish stocks to unsustainable levels. Fish stocks drop below levels needed for population recovery.

Flashcard 15: Identify a tool used to monitor fishing activities.

Answer: Satellite tracking is used to monitor fishing activities. Technology enables remote monitoring of vessel locations.

Flashcard 16: What is the effect of overfishing on marine mammal populations?

Answer: It depletes their food sources, impacting their survival. Marine mammals depend on fish as their primary food source.

Flashcard 17: Why is overfishing a global issue?

Answer: Fish migrate across borders, affecting multiple nations' stocks. Migratory species cross national boundaries requiring global management.

Flashcard 18: Name one species commonly affected by overfishing.

Answer: Atlantic cod is commonly affected by overfishing. Atlantic cod stocks collapsed due to intensive fishing pressure.

Flashcard 19: How does overfishing affect genetic diversity in fish populations?

Answer: It reduces genetic diversity, weakening populations. Smaller populations have reduced genetic variation for adaptation.

Flashcard 20: What role do subsidies play in overfishing?

Answer: Subsidies can encourage overfishing by reducing operational costs. Government subsidies make fishing profitable even when unsustainable.

Flashcard 21: Name a method to assess fish stock health.

Answer: Stock assessments evaluate fish population dynamics. Scientific monitoring tracks population size and health trends.

Flashcard 22: What is aquaculture?

Answer: Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms for food. Fish farming can reduce pressure on wild fish stocks.

Flashcard 23: Name one species commonly affected by overfishing.

Answer: Atlantic cod is commonly affected by overfishing. Atlantic cod stocks collapsed due to intensive fishing pressure.

Flashcard 24: How does overfishing affect food security?

Answer: It reduces the availability of a major protein source. Fish provide essential protein for billions of people worldwide.

Flashcard 25: Identify a regulatory measure to combat overfishing.

Answer: Catch limits are a regulatory measure to combat overfishing. Limits ensure fishing stays within sustainable levels.

Flashcard 26: How does overfishing affect coral reefs?

Answer: It disrupts the balance of species that maintain healthy reefs. Removes herbivorous fish that control algae growth on reefs.

Flashcard 27: What is one measure to reduce bycatch?

Answer: Using selective fishing gear reduces bycatch. Modified gear allows target species capture while releasing others.

Flashcard 28: Identify one ecological impact of overfishing.

Answer: Disruption of marine food webs. Removing key species disrupts predator-prey relationships.

Flashcard 29: Explain one economic impact of overfishing.

Answer: Decreased fishery yields lead to economic losses. Reduced fish stocks mean lower income for fishing industry.

Flashcard 30: What is the impact of overfishing on kelp forests?

Answer: It leads to overgrazing by herbivores, affecting kelp growth. Predator removal allows herbivores to overconsume kelp.

Flashcard 31: How does overfishing affect food security?

Answer: It reduces the availability of a major protein source. Fish provide essential protein for billions of people worldwide.

Flashcard 32: Identify a tool used to monitor fishing activities.

Answer: Satellite tracking is used to monitor fishing activities. Technology enables remote monitoring of vessel locations.

Flashcard 33: How does overfishing impact oceanic nutrient cycles?

Answer: It alters the balance of nutrient distribution in the ocean. Fish transport nutrients between different ocean zones.

Flashcard 34: Identify a consequence of reduced fish populations on human health.

Answer: Reduced fish populations can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Fish provide omega-3 fatty acids and essential nutrients.

Flashcard 35: Which fishing method often results in bycatch?

Answer: Trawling often results in bycatch. Bottom trawling is non-selective and catches many species.

Flashcard 36: What is the impact of overfishing on apex predators?

Answer: It reduces their populations due to prey scarcity. Top predators need abundant prey fish to survive.

Flashcard 37: What is one measure to reduce bycatch?

Answer: Using selective fishing gear reduces bycatch. Modified gear allows target species capture while releasing others.

Flashcard 38: Identify one way consumers can help reduce overfishing.

Answer: Choosing sustainably sourced seafood helps reduce overfishing. Consumer demand drives sustainable fishing practices in markets.

Flashcard 39: How does overfishing affect biodiversity?

Answer: It reduces marine biodiversity. Overfishing removes species faster than they can recover.

Flashcard 40: How does overfishing affect coral reefs?

Answer: It disrupts the balance of species that maintain healthy reefs. Removes herbivorous fish that control algae growth on reefs.

Flashcard 41: How does overfishing affect the carbon cycle?

Answer: It disrupts marine ecosystems that sequester carbon. Fish transport nutrients and carbon throughout ocean systems.

Flashcard 42: What is a no-take zone?

Answer: A no-take zone is an area where all fishing is prohibited. Complete fishing ban allows ecosystem recovery.

Flashcard 43: What is the effect of overfishing on marine mammal populations?

Answer: It depletes their food sources, impacting their survival. Marine mammals depend on fish as their primary food source.

Flashcard 44: What is the role of quotas in fisheries management?

Answer: Quotas limit the total catch to prevent overfishing. Setting maximum catch amounts prevents stock depletion.

Flashcard 45: What is the impact of overfishing on kelp forests?

Answer: It leads to overgrazing by herbivores, affecting kelp growth. Predator removal allows herbivores to overconsume kelp.

Flashcard 46: What role do subsidies play in overfishing?

Answer: Subsidies can encourage overfishing by reducing operational costs. Government subsidies make fishing profitable even when unsustainable.

Flashcard 47: What is the role of marine protected areas (MPAs) in combating overfishing?

Answer: MPAs help preserve fish stocks by restricting fishing. Protected areas allow fish populations to recover and reproduce.

Flashcard 48: What is the impact of overfishing on seagrass beds?

Answer: It can lead to the decline of these critical habitats. Seagrass beds serve as nurseries for many fish species.

Flashcard 49: What is overfishing?

Answer: Overfishing is the depletion of fish stocks due to excessive fishing. Occurs when fishing exceeds the rate at which fish can reproduce.

Flashcard 50: What is illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing?

Answer: IUU fishing violates laws and goes unreported, harming fish stocks. Unregulated fishing that undermines conservation efforts globally.

Flashcard 51: What is the purpose of fishery certification programs?

Answer: They promote sustainable fishing practices. Certification ensures fish are caught using sustainable methods.

Flashcard 52: Identify one social impact of overfishing.

Answer: Loss of livelihoods for fishing communities. Fishing communities lose jobs when fish stocks decline.

Flashcard 53: What is a no-take zone?

Answer: A no-take zone is an area where all fishing is prohibited. Complete fishing ban allows ecosystem recovery.

Flashcard 54: What is the impact of overfishing on apex predators?

Answer: It reduces their populations due to prey scarcity. Top predators need abundant prey fish to survive.