Ap College Environmental Science

# AP College Environmental Science: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to your comprehensive guide to the AP College Environmental Science course. This guide is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the course and on the AP exam. We will explore the intricate connections between the natural world and human activities, preparing you to become an informed and engaged global citizen.

[Watch: AP® Environmental Science Overview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00aykvn-JJY)

## Course Overview

The AP Environmental Science course is the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. It is designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them [1].

[Watch: Environmental Science Introduction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_WrWJ9U0PM)

## Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems

This unit introduces the fundamental concepts of ecology, focusing on the structure and function of ecosystems. You will learn about the flow of energy and the cycling of matter, the interactions between organisms, and the different types of ecosystems found on Earth.

[Watch: AP Environmental Science Unit 1 Review](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmSmdUCw0sk)

### Key Topics:

* **Ecosystem Structure:** Explore the components of an ecosystem, including biotic and abiotic factors.
* **Energy Flow:** Understand how energy flows through an ecosystem, from producers to consumers.
* **Biogeochemical Cycles:** Learn about the cycling of essential elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
* **Ecosystem Services:** Discover the many benefits that ecosystems provide to humans.

## Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, and it is essential for the health of our planet. In this unit, you will learn about the different levels of biodiversity, the threats to biodiversity, and the importance of conservation.

[Watch: Why is biodiversity so important?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK_vRtHJZu4)

### Key Topics:

* **Levels of Biodiversity:** Explore genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
* **Threats to Biodiversity:** Learn about the major threats to biodiversity, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
* **Conservation:** Discover the different strategies used to protect biodiversity.

## Unit 3: Populations

This unit focuses on the study of populations, including their growth, regulation, and interactions. You will learn about the factors that affect population size and the different strategies that organisms use to survive and reproduce.

### Key Topics:

* **Population Growth:** Understand the different models of population growth, including exponential and logistic growth.
* **Population Regulation:** Learn about the factors that regulate population size, such as competition, predation, and disease.
* **Human Population:** Explore the growth of the human population and its impact on the environment.

## Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

This unit explores the Earth’s systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. You will learn about the Earth’s resources, including water, soil, and minerals, and the importance of managing these resources sustainably.

### Key Topics:

* **Earth’s Systems:** Understand the interactions between the Earth’s systems.
* **Water Resources:** Learn about the availability and use of freshwater resources.
* **Soil Resources:** Explore the formation and properties of soil.
* **Mineral Resources:** Discover the different types of mineral resources and their uses.

## Unit 5: Land and Water Use

This unit examines the ways in which humans use land and water resources. You will learn about the different types of land use, including agriculture, forestry, and urbanization, and the impact of these activities on the environment.

### Key Topics:

* **Agriculture:** Explore the different types of agriculture and their environmental impacts.
* **Forestry:** Learn about the importance of forests and the different methods of forest management.
* **Urbanization:** Understand the growth of cities and their impact on the environment.

## Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

This unit focuses on the different sources of energy, including both renewable and nonrenewable resources. You will learn about the environmental impacts of energy production and consumption and the importance of energy conservation.

### Key Topics:

* **Nonrenewable Energy:** Explore the different types of nonrenewable energy, including fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
* **Renewable Energy:** Learn about the different types of renewable energy, including solar, wind, and hydropower.
* **Energy Conservation:** Discover the different ways to reduce energy consumption.

## Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

This unit examines the different types of air pollution, their sources, and their impacts on human health and the environment. You will learn about the different strategies used to control air pollution.

### Key Topics:

* **Sources of Air Pollution:** Explore the different sources of air pollution, including both natural and human-made sources.
* **Types of Air Pollutants:** Learn about the different types of air pollutants, including particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.
* **Impacts of Air Pollution:** Understand the impacts of air pollution on human health and the environment.

## Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

This unit focuses on the different types of water and land pollution, their sources, and their impacts on ecosystems. You will learn about the different strategies used to control pollution.

### Key Topics:

* **Water Pollution:** Explore the different types of water pollution, including point source and nonpoint source pollution.
* **Land Pollution:** Learn about the different types of land pollution, including solid waste and hazardous waste.
* **Impacts of Pollution:** Understand the impacts of pollution on ecosystems and human health.

## Unit 9: Global Change

This unit examines the different types of global change, including climate change, ozone depletion, and loss of biodiversity. You will learn about the causes and consequences of these changes and the different strategies used to address them.

### Key Topics:

* **Climate Change:** Explore the causes and consequences of climate change.
* **Ozone Depletion:** Learn about the causes and consequences of ozone depletion.
* **Loss of Biodiversity:** Understand the causes and consequences of the loss of biodiversity.

## Exam Preparation

[Watch: Complete AP Environmental Science Exam Review Guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_WrWJ9U0PM)

## References

[1] College Board. (n.d.). *AP Environmental Science*. Retrieved from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-environmental-science