AP Environmental Science

In this unit, students will examine Earth as a system made up of interdependent components and processes. They will analyze how the distribution of resources and the characteristics of terrestrial and aquatic biomes influence species interactions. Students will also investigate energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, and the ways human activities and climate change alter ecosystems.

In this unit, students will examine genetic, species, and habitat diversity and explain why biodiversity is essential to ecosystem stability. They will analyze the short- and long-term effects of natural and human disturbances, investigate ecological succession, and examine how organisms respond to environmental change.

In this unit, students will learn how populations change over time in response to resource availability, habitat conditions, reproductive strategies, and other environmental factors. They will compare specialist and generalist species, examine r-selected and K-selected reproductive strategies, and analyze factors that limit population growth.

In this unit, students will explore the Earth's systems and natural resources that support life. They will investigate plate boundaries, geological processes, soil formation, atmospheric composition, climate patterns, and the movement of air and water. Students will also examine how these systems influence resource availability and environmental conditions.

In this unit, students will examine how agriculture, mining, forestry, urban development, and water use affect ecosystems. They will evaluate the environmental benefits and drawbacks of different practices, including irrigation methods, and investigate strategies that reduce harmful impacts and promote sustainable resource use.

In this unit, students will examine renewable and nonrenewable energy resources, patterns of energy consumption, and the environmental effects of energy production and use. They will analyze how geology, geography, technology, and economic factors influence regional energy availability and decision-making.

In this unit, students will investigate indoor and outdoor air pollutants, their natural and human sources, and their effects on health and the environment. They will examine atmospheric transport, pollution-reduction strategies, and the role of the Clean Air Act in regulating harmful emissions.

In this unit, students will investigate sources and effects of pollution in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Topics will include solid waste, hazardous waste, sewage, nutrient pollution, pesticides, heavy metals, plastics, and oil spills. Students will analyze how pollutants move through ecosystems, affect organisms and human health, and can be prevented, managed, or remediated.

In this unit, students will examine how local and regional human activities contribute to global environmental change. They will investigate climate change, ocean warming and acidification, ozone depletion, biodiversity loss, and species endangerment. Students will evaluate mitigation and adaptation strategies and propose evidence-based solutions that support sustainable resource use.