Name date Pd
AP Environmental Science – Unit 2 Review Worksheet
Key Concepts
- Biodiversity includes genetic, species, and habitat diversity. Ecosystem stability is influenced by biodiversity but
is not a direct component.
- Specialist species have narrow niches and are more vulnerable to habitat loss. Generalist species are more
adaptable.
- Island biogeography: Larger and closer islands support more species. Isolation leads to adaptive radiation.
- Ecological tolerance defines the range of conditions a species can survive. The optimal zone is where growth and
reproduction are best.
- Ecosystem services: Provisioning (e.g., timber), Regulating (e.g., climate control), Supporting (e.g., soil formation),
Cultural (e.g., tourism).
- Human impacts include habitat fragmentation, introduction of invasive species, and pollution, which can exceed
species' tolerance limits.
- Succession: Primary (on bare rock) and Secondary (after disturbance). Disturbances can reset succession.
- Keystone species have a large impact relative to their abundance. Indicator species signal ecosystem health. Apex
predators regulate trophic levels.
Review Questions
1. 1. What are the three main components of biodiversity?
2. 2. Why is genetic diversity important for a population’s survival?
3. 3. What is species richness?
4. 4. What is a population bottleneck and how does it affect genetic diversity?
5. 5. Which species type is more vulnerable to habitat loss: specialists or generalists?
6. 6. How does habitat fragmentation affect biodiversity?
7. 7. Why do smaller islands have higher extinction rates?
8. 8. How does distance from the mainland affect island biodiversity?
9. 9. What is adaptive radiation and how does it relate to island species?
10. 10. What is meant by a species’ range of tolerance?
11. 11. What happens when environmental conditions exceed this range?
12. 12. What is the optimal zone within the range of tolerance?
13. 13. Give an example of a provisioning service.
14. 14. What ecosystem service is most affected by deforestation?
15. 15. How do wetlands regulate flooding?
16. 16. How do invasive species threaten native island species?
17. 17. What are the economic consequences of disrupting ecosystem services?
18. 18. How do human activities affect ecological tolerance?
19. 19. What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
20. 20. How do natural disturbances affect ecological succession?
21. 21. What are common responses of organisms to environmental change?
22. 22. What is the role of a keystone species?
23. 23. Why are indicator species important?
24. 24. What happens when apex predators are removed from an ecosystem?
25. 25. If a producer level has 50,000 kcal, how much energy reaches tertiary consumers?
26. 26. Calculate population density: 2,400 deer in 600 km².
27. 27. Find NPP: GPP = 8,000 kcal/m²/year, Respiration = 2,500 kcal/m²/year.
Name date Pd
28. 28. Convert 500 gallons/day to liters/year (1 gal = 3.785 L).
29. 29. Calculate ecological efficiency: 10,000 kcal consumed, 1,000 kcal stored.
30. 30. A town has 250 cars, each emitting 4.6 tons CO₂/year. What’s the total?