AP Environmental Science Study Guide
1. Know the major biomes and their characteristics.
Major biomes: There are several major biomes on Earth, including tropical
rainforests, savannas, deserts, taiga, temperate forests, and grasslands. Each
biome has its unique climate, vegetation, and animal life. Understanding the
characteristics of each biome will help you know how environmental issues
impact different regions of the world.
Major biomes:
Tropical rainforest: found near the equator, with high rainfall, diverse vegetation,
and animal species, including monkeys, birds, and reptiles.
Savanna: grasslands with scattered trees, warm temperatures, and seasonal
rainfall, characterized by herbivores like zebras, giraffes, and elephants.
Desert: arid regions with low precipitation, high temperatures, and unique
adaptations by plants and animals like cacti, camels, and lizards.
Taiga: also known as the boreal forest, cold and snowy with coniferous trees,
habitat for animals like moose, wolves, and lynx.
Temperate forest: moderate climate, deciduous trees, and diverse wildlife,
including deer, foxes, and birds.
Grasslands: vast plains with grasses and scattered trees, inhabited by grazing
animals like bison, antelopes, and prairie dogs.
2. Understand the carbon cycle and greenhouse gases.
The carbon cycle is a process by which carbon is continuously cycled through the
Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land masses. In this process, carbon is
exchanged among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
, Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous
oxide (N2O), are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, thereby warming the
Earth's surface. Natural processes, such as respiration and volcanic activity, and
human activities, such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, produce these
gases.
An increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can lead
to global warming and climate change, as it causes the Earth's temperature to
rise. The carbon cycle and greenhouse gases are interlinked, and it's important to
understand how they impact our planet and climate.
The carbon cycle is a process by which carbon is continuously cycled through the
Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land masses. In this process, carbon is
exchanged among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous
oxide (N2O), are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, thereby warming the
Earth's surface. Natural processes, such as respiration and volcanic activity, and
human activities, such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, produce these
gases.
An increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can lead
to global warming and climate change, as it causes the Earth's temperature to
rise. The carbon cycle and greenhouse gases are interlinked, and it's important to
understand how they impact our planet and its climate.3. Know the effects of
deforestation, desertification, and soil degradation.
Deforestation, desertification, soil degradation: Deforestation is the removal of
forests, often for agriculture or urban development. Desertification is the spread
of deserts into previously fertile areas, often due to overgrazing or deforestation.
Soil degradation is the decline in soil quality, often due to overuse or improper
1. Know the major biomes and their characteristics.
Major biomes: There are several major biomes on Earth, including tropical
rainforests, savannas, deserts, taiga, temperate forests, and grasslands. Each
biome has its unique climate, vegetation, and animal life. Understanding the
characteristics of each biome will help you know how environmental issues
impact different regions of the world.
Major biomes:
Tropical rainforest: found near the equator, with high rainfall, diverse vegetation,
and animal species, including monkeys, birds, and reptiles.
Savanna: grasslands with scattered trees, warm temperatures, and seasonal
rainfall, characterized by herbivores like zebras, giraffes, and elephants.
Desert: arid regions with low precipitation, high temperatures, and unique
adaptations by plants and animals like cacti, camels, and lizards.
Taiga: also known as the boreal forest, cold and snowy with coniferous trees,
habitat for animals like moose, wolves, and lynx.
Temperate forest: moderate climate, deciduous trees, and diverse wildlife,
including deer, foxes, and birds.
Grasslands: vast plains with grasses and scattered trees, inhabited by grazing
animals like bison, antelopes, and prairie dogs.
2. Understand the carbon cycle and greenhouse gases.
The carbon cycle is a process by which carbon is continuously cycled through the
Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land masses. In this process, carbon is
exchanged among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
, Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous
oxide (N2O), are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, thereby warming the
Earth's surface. Natural processes, such as respiration and volcanic activity, and
human activities, such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, produce these
gases.
An increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can lead
to global warming and climate change, as it causes the Earth's temperature to
rise. The carbon cycle and greenhouse gases are interlinked, and it's important to
understand how they impact our planet and climate.
The carbon cycle is a process by which carbon is continuously cycled through the
Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land masses. In this process, carbon is
exchanged among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous
oxide (N2O), are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, thereby warming the
Earth's surface. Natural processes, such as respiration and volcanic activity, and
human activities, such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, produce these
gases.
An increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can lead
to global warming and climate change, as it causes the Earth's temperature to
rise. The carbon cycle and greenhouse gases are interlinked, and it's important to
understand how they impact our planet and its climate.3. Know the effects of
deforestation, desertification, and soil degradation.
Deforestation, desertification, soil degradation: Deforestation is the removal of
forests, often for agriculture or urban development. Desertification is the spread
of deserts into previously fertile areas, often due to overgrazing or deforestation.
Soil degradation is the decline in soil quality, often due to overuse or improper
