AP Environmental Science : Ecological Change
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Environmental Science
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Example Questions
Example Question #4 : Human Impact On Ecological Change
Humans can greatly alter ecosystem functions and processes. Excessive nitrogen pollution from humans has transformed many aquatic ecosystems from nutrient poor to nutrient rich environments. This is an example of which of the following processes?
Bioaccumulation
Biomagnification
All of these?
Fragmentation
Eutrophication
Eutrophication
The correct response is "eutrophication." It is the only term that is specific to aquatic systems and the input of excess nutrients by way of pollution. The terms "bioaccumulation" and "biomagnification" describe how substances such as toxins accumulate within organisms and trophic levels—not an aquatic ecosystem. Last, "fragmentation" has nothing to do with the question because it refers to when habitats are parceled apart due to human activities.
Example Question #5 : Human Impact On Ecological Change
Disturbances are normal processes that help maintain biodiversity and healthy ecosystem because they create which of the following?
Divergent landscapoes
Heterogeneous landscapes
Homogeneous landscapes
Uniform landscapes
Artificial landscapes
Heterogeneous landscapes
The correct response is “heterogeneous landscapes.” This is the only answer choice that describes landscapes with different types of habitats. Different types of habitat are necessary to maintain biodiversity. "Uniform" and "Homogeneous" describe landscapes that are very similar. "Artificial Landscape" does not arise from a natural process.
Example Question #6 : Human Impact On Ecological Change
Which following field(s) of study is/are related to environmental science?
Biology
Economics
Political science
Earth sciences
All of these
All of these
Environmental science integrates information from several fields. These fields include the natural and physical sciences such as biology, chemistry, and geology; but social science and humanity fields are important to the study of the environment. These fields include political science, economics, and ethics. Environmental science studies organisms, including humans, and their environment as well as their affect on the environment.
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