Environmental Science studies the interactions between the natural environment and human societies. It helps us understand the impact of human activities on the Earth’s systems and how we can work to protect and restore our planet.
Unit 1: Systems, Energy, and Matter is the foundation of AP Environmental Science. In this unit, students will learn about the basic concepts of ecology, including the structure and function of ecosystems, the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems, and the interactions between organisms and their environment.
1. Ecology: The Study of Interactions
Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. It is a broad field that encompasses many different disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, and geology. Ecologists study how organisms interact with each other and with their physical environment. They also study how these interactions affect the distribution and abundance of organisms.
2. Ecosystems: Communities of Organisms and Their Environment
An ecosystem is a community of organisms and their physical environment. Ecosystems can be small, such as a pond or a forest, or they can be large, such as the entire Earth. Ecosystems are dynamic systems that are constantly changing. The interactions between organisms and their environment can affect the structure and function of ecosystems.
3. Energy Flow Through Ecosystems
Energy flows through ecosystems in a one-way direction. The sun is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems. Plants use sunlight to produce food through the process of photosynthesis. Animals eat plants to obtain energy. The energy that is stored in plants and animals is eventually released back into the environment through respiration and decomposition.
4. Matter Cycling Through Ecosystems
Matter cycles through ecosystems in a continuous process. The four main biogeochemical cycles are the water cycle, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the phosphorus cycle. These cycles ensure that essential nutrients are available to organisms.
5. Interactions Between Organisms and Their Environment
Organisms interact with their environment in a variety of ways. These interactions can be positive, negative, or neutral. Positive interactions include mutualism, commensalism, and cooperation. Negative interactions include predation, competition, and parasitism. Neutral interactions have no effect on either organism.
AP Environmental Science Unit 1 Review Questions
- What is ecology?
- What is an ecosystem?
- How does energy flow through ecosystems?
- How does matter cycle through ecosystems?
- What are the different types of interactions between organisms and their environment?
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