AP®︎ Environmental Science Unit 1: Notes & Study Guide
Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 1 of AP Environmental Science – The Living World: Ecosystems.
Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems
This unit explores ecosystems and energy flow, including biomes, cycles of matter, and food chains that form the foundation of ecological understanding.
Begin with Topic 1.1: Introduction to Ecosystem...To review Unit 1, go through each of the 11 topics below.
Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 1 test, pulled directly from the AP® Environmental Science curriculum.
Introduction to Ecosystems
Introduction to Ecosystems
- What Ecosystems Are
- Resources and the Main Types of Species Interactions
- Predation, Symbiosis, and Competition
Terrestrial Biomes
Terrestrial Biomes
- What Terrestrial Biomes Are
- The Nine Major Terrestrial Biomes
- Why Biomes Are Found Where They Are
Aquatic Biomes
Aquatic Biomes
- What Aquatic Biomes Are
- The Main Types of Aquatic Biomes
- The Abiotic Factors That Control Distribution
The Carbon Cycle
The Carbon Cycle
- What the Carbon Cycle Is
- Major Carbon Reservoirs
- How Carbon Moves Through the Fast and Slow Cycles
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Nitrogen Cycle
- What the Nitrogen Cycle Is
- The Main Nitrogen Forms and Processes
- How the Nitrogen Cycle Moves Through Ecosystems
The Phosphorus Cycle
The Phosphorus Cycle
- What the Phosphorus Cycle Is
- Major Reservoirs and the Standard Cycle Model
- How Phosphorus Moves Through the Cycle
The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
- What the Hydrologic Cycle Is
- Major Reservoirs and Reservoir Roles
- Main Steps and Transfers in the Water Cycle
Primary Productivity
Primary Productivity
- What Primary Productivity Is
- GPP, NPP, and Respiration
- How Primary Productivity Is Measured
Trophic Levels
Trophic Levels
- What Trophic Levels Are
- The Main Trophic Levels
- How Energy Moves Through Trophic Levels
Energy Flow and the 10% Rule
Energy Flow and the 10% Rule
- What the 10% Rule Means
- Why Energy Decreases at Higher Trophic Levels
- How to Calculate Energy Transfer
Food Chains and Food Webs
Food Chains and Food Webs
- What Food Chains and Food Webs Show
- Trophic Levels and Feeding Roles
- How to Read and Build a Food Chain or Food Web
Notes
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