1. AP Environmental Science FRQ Assignment
Philip Lucksinger, Peyton Heath, Danae Hildebrandt, and Troy Toddy

2. Year 2000, Question 3
3. Species such as the dusky seaside sparrow, the passenger pigeon, and the wooly mammoth are extinct. Populations of other species have declined to the point where they are designated as threatened or endangered species.
(a) Identify one threatened or endangered species and explain why its population has declined.
One endangered or threatened species is the giant panda. Giant pandas need the bamboo forest to live, but it is being destroyed.
One endangered or threatened species is the elephant. This is due to trophy hunting for cultural beliefs. They use their tusks for ivory.
One endangered or threatened species is the bald eagle. DDT causes shells from the bald eagle to be thin and break easily.
One endangered or threatened species is the arrowroot. It is outcompeted by the purple loosestrife, which is a non-native plant.
One endangered or threatened species is the waterfowl. It is affected by pollution, specifically lead poisoning in the water in which it swims.

3. Year 2000, Question 3
(b) Describe three characteristics of organisms that would make them particularly vulnerable to extinction. If the animal had a specialized feeding behavior, it could only get its food from a certain place or resource. If this resource is taken away from it somehow, it would be much more likely to die out. An animal or plant may require a large amount of territory. If it does, and humans are destroying this area, it could go extinct more quickly than an animal or plant that does not need to utilize a large amount of space. If the animal preys on livestock or people, it is much more likely to go extinct because it is threatening the lives of people or animals people eat. Humans are willing to protect themselves by killing the animals harming them with their advanced technology. If a species is competing with humans for the same resources, humans are willing to kill the animals that are in its way. Humans will make the species go extinct more quickly because they do not want animals taking over their space. If a species does not have any natural defense, it is much more vulnerable to extinction because it can then be consumed without a problem. These animals are more likely to die out more quickly

4. Year 2000, Question 3
(c) Present three arguments in favor of the maintenance of biodiversity. Every organism plays an important role in their respective food webs. Disrupting this food web could cause certain species to because threatened or endangered due to a lack of food source or overpopulate due to a lack of predators. Certain species can be useful or medical resources that humans cannot get from themselves or other species. This could help advance technology and medicine to better improve the quality of life. A lot of organisms play a role as a food resource for other species. Without these food resources, other species would have trouble finding substitutes for these missing organisms. If humans maintained biodiversity, economic potential from certain species would increase. Humans could increase ecotourism, which benefits endangered or threatened species. The genetic bank would be larger, and this helps species evolve in the most advanced way possible, giving them the best traits for survival.

5. Year 2000, Question 3
(d) Name and described one United States federal law or one international treaty that is intended to prevent the extinction of species. The Endangered Species Act prevents the extinction of species by fining or imprisoning people for “taking” an endangered species. The Lacey Act prevents the extinction of species by prohibiting the transport of protected species between states. The Wild Bird Conservation Act prevents the extinction of birds by ensuring that exotic bird species are not harmed by international trade and encourages wild bird conservation programs in countries of origin. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prevents the extinction of birds by federally prohibiting the sale, transport, hunting, capturing, and more of any migratory bird or its nest at any time. The Whaling Conservation and Protection Study/Act prevents the extinction of whales by performing mandatory studies on whales, understanding all aspects of them, and figuring out the best way to protect these creatures with the information researchers gathered.

6. Endangered Species by Continent

7. Year 2013, Question 4
(a) Describe TWO characteristics shared by ecosystems that have high biodiversity.
Ecosystems with high biodiversity have a large number of different species due to the different areas certain species may able to inhabit. Because of the biodiversity guaranteed to the different kinds of species many of them are able to form large numbers of individuals. Animals can feed off of many varieties of plants, letting them thrive in the ecosystem. Complex food webs are another characteristic entwined with high biodiversity. The large number of producers allows for the consumer numbers to increase while the food web grows larger and larger the more the biodiversity increases. Genetic diversity allows for plants and animals to develop and evolve into more adaptable species in a certain ecosystem. The high genetic diversity increases the distinguishable biodiversity because of the genetic variability of species. Different ecological roles lets different species to inhabit different parts of the ecosystem because they have certain niches to uphold. Some animals may live in the canopy of trees while others live on the floor of the ecosystem.

8. Year 2013, Question 4
(b) Identify TWO specific human activities that result in a loss of biodiversity and explain how each activity lowers biodiversity.
Clearing the land for human gain such as homes, roads, and construction results in reduced habitat for many species and lowers biodiversity. Deforestation also destroys the homes for many species because most of their homes or even protection is made up of trees and plants. Monoculture, a single crop in a given area, eliminates native species because it over takes them and decreases genetic variation because there is only one type. Genetically modified organisms also result in little variation of genes because they have been modified to fit human ideals. Clearing forests for pastureland is another affect that destroys the habitats for species because many species cannot live without their main source of protection.

9. Year 2013, Question 4
(c) For each human activity you discussed in (b), propose a practical strategy (other than simply banning the activity) to reduce the loss of biodiversity.
For clearing land for construction, roads, and homes the best solution would be to cluster build so not all the land is taken up. When the land is cut down replanting trees will help rebuild the biodiversity and decrease the deforestation rate. Instead of having monoculture, the best solution would be to have polyculture, more than one crop, to increase the number of other crops. Genetically modified organisms should be sterile so they cannot reproduce and destroy the chances of other organisms to thrive. Creating a habitat sanctuary instead of clearing pastureland, so species will be protected.

10. Year 2013, Question 4
(d) Describe ONE naturally occurring factor that could lead to a loss of biodiversity.
Volcanoes can occur and destroy most of the land it inhabits while changing its atmosphere like causing cooler temperatures. Widespread wildfires can wipe out species and an entire population. Long-term climate changes can cause the temperature to stay warmer or cooler, destroying species that cannot survive in those conditions. Hurricanes can also wipe out coastal estuaries and the species who use them. Droughts can cause major damage because the decrease the amount of food supplied leading to species dying because they do not have a proper food source.

11. Year 2013, Question 4
(e) Describe TWO ecological benefits that greater biodiversity provides.
Pollution provides insects and other organisms with added nutrients. Water filtration occurs when the environment stays intact. Another greater biodiversity benefit is when the ecosystem survives over a long period of time. The longer it lives, the more diverse it becomes. Pest species should remain under control so they do not reproduce in abundance and overtake other species in the ecosystem. The last benefit is in an ecosystem is to have excess amounts of materials for evolution. The more materials available the more biodiversity an ecosystem can have because materials can be used.

12. Biodiversity Threat

13. Year 2014, Question 4
Biogeochemical cycles describe the movement of certain elements (typically bound with other elements in compounds) through Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. These elements and their compounds are necessary components of all life, and because they cycle, they can be used repeatedly by new generations of organisms. Each biogeochemical cycle has different pathways with various reservoirs (sources and sinks) where elements may reside for days or millions of years.
(a) The atmosphere is one important carbon reservoir.
(i) Describe a biological process by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and converted to organic molecules.
The biological process that removes carbon from the atmosphere and converted to organic molecules is photosynthesis (6CO2+ 6H20+ Light Energy  C6H O2). Photosynthesis is the process by which plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into food in the form of glucose.
(ii) Describe a biological process by which carbon is converted from organic molecules to a gas and returned to the atmosphere.
One biological process that converts organic molecules to gas would be cellular respiration (C6H O2  6CO2+ 6H20) which breaks down glucose and releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Another process would be methane gas being released by the flatulence or belching of an animal that has digested food. Finally, the decomposition of organic material by bacteria releases methane gasses into the atmosphere by converting organic carbons

14. Year 2014, Question 4
(b) Oceans and terrestrial systems are also important carbon reservoirs.
(i) Explain how atmospheric carbon is incorporated into two oceanic sinks.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves into the precipitation and eventually reach the ocean. Another way could be the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is taken up by the phytoplankton and used for photosynthesis. Additionally, carbon can be used by marine organisms, such as crabs and lobsters, to help reinforce their shells. Carbon may also react with other elements and for sedimentary rocks. Lastly, biological pumps incorporate carbon in the oceans.
(ii) Identify one terrestrial sink, other than fossil fuels, that stores carbon for thousands to millions of years.
One terrestrial sink that stores carbon for millions of years is the ice caps and glaciers. Another terrestrial sink would be the carbon in the sedimentary rocks or limestone. Old growth forests that have been alive for many years are also large terrestrial sinks for carbon. Similarly, another large terrestrial sink would be the incorporation of carbon into the soil. Finally, the many freshwater wetlands or bogs are terrestrial sinks for carbon as well.

15. Year 2014, Question 4
(c) The burning of fossil fuels has been shown to increase the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere. Discuss TWO other human activities that increase the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere.
Raising live-stock, such as cattle, releases excess amounts of methane gas into the atmosphere which contains carbon. Deforestation of large areas of trees limits the amount of carbon reservoirs which increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Similarly, slash and burn agriculture, or the burning of organic matter, releases carbon into the atmosphere as well. Additionally, The incineration of trash and other wastes releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Finally the destruction of wetlands limits the amount of carbon sinks in the world causing an increase in the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

16. Year 2014, Question 4
(d) Identify an environmental problem that results from elevated atmospheric carbon concentrations. Discuss one consequence of the problem you identified.
Ocean acidification commonly occurs with increased carbon levels which has the consequence of dissolving the shells of many marine animals. Ice caps melting is also a major result of increased carbon in the atmosphere which results in habitat loss of arctic animals. Similarly, the rising of sea levels caused by increased atmospheric carbon causes the flooding and loss of habitats along the coast. Additionally, increased levels of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere results in the consequence of hazardous breathing air for animals. Finally, the increased levels of carbon in the atmosphere cause speed up global warming which will largely affect the organisms not adapted to warmer climates.

17. Year 2014, Question 4
(e) Phosphorus is another element important to all organisms.
(i) Describe one major way in which the phosphorus cycle differs from the carbon cycle.
Response: One way the phosphorus cycle differs from the carbon cycle is that it does not usually have an atmospheric phase involved. Another way the phosphorus cycle differs is that the phosphorus is not as accessible to living organisms, meaning it is a much slower cycle compared to the carbon cycle.

19. Year 2015, Question 1
(a) Describe how TWO human activities, other than those that result in anthropogenic climate change, have resulted in a decrease in the amount of freshwater flowing into the Everglades ecosystem.
The water is withdrawn and used for the irrigation of crops.
The water is withdrawn for drinking, washing, watering lawns, and other domestic uses.
The water is withdrawn for use in industry and the production of various goods.
The flow of water is interrupted by the construction of roads and other structures.
The wetlands are filled in so that the land can be used for agriculture or construction.

20. Year 2015, Question 1
(b) In addition to water quantity problems, the Everglades is faced with a variety of water quality issues. For example, phosphorus concentrations in the Everglades have increased since the 1960s.
(i) Describe how one specific human activity contributes to increased phosphorus levels in the Everglades.
Agricultural runoff, including pesticides and fertilizers, runs into the water.
Wastes from septic systems can seep into nearby water sources.
Released wastewater from treatment plants without advanced treatment technology can enter the water.
Sewers can overflow during heavy rains, causing sewage to enter the water.
Animal wastes can runoff into water sources from feedlots.

21. Year 2015, Question 1
(ii) Explain one way in which an increase in phosphorus levels can adversely affect the Everglades ecosystem.
The increase in phosphorus can stimulate algal blooms and speed up eutrophication.
It may give an advantage to invasive species over native plants that are adapted to a low level of phosphorus.
Allow a non endemic species like cattails to replace endemic species like sawgrass.

22. Year 2015, Question 1
(iii) Describe one step that could be taken to reduce phosphorus inputs from the activity you identified in part (i).
Create buffer zones around agricultural areas to prevent runoff.
Use more efficient irrigation and more precise fertilizing techniques.
Restrict use of fertilizers or pesticides that contain phosphates.
Upgrade the technologies used by treatment plants to wastewater to ones that remove phosphates from the water.
Use rain barrels in residential areas.

23. Year 2015, Question 1
(c) Climate change could have a variety of impacts on water quantity, water quality, and habitat. For EACH of these three factors, identify and describe one specific example of an impact on the Everglades likely to result from climate change.
Water Quantity:
The higher temperatures associated with climate change lead to increased evaporation, which lowers water levels.
Sea levels will increase, flooding some areas of the Everglades.
Increased heavy rainfall will raise the amount of storm water runoff.
Flooding and storm water runoff will help maintain water levels.
Water Quality:
The increase of air temperature will in turn cause an increase in water temperature.
Increase in water temperature will lead to more algal blooms.
Higher temperatures will lead to decreased levels of dissolved oxygen in water.
Pollutants in storm water runoff will enter the Everglades, harming the aquatic animals that live there.
Occasional flooding can help reduce the concentration of pollutants.
Habitat:
Elevated temperature would favor some invasive species.
Some species would be pushed beyond their upper tolerance limit by the increased temperatures.
Changes in rainfall could lead to drought, drying out aquatic habitats.
Increased flooding would help maintain aquatic habitats.
New habitats would be created for salt-tolerant organisms.

24. Year 2015, Question 1
(d) The article states that Governor Moss believes that the “preservation and enhancement of the Everglades, key goals of the restoration program, are absolutely essential for the continued environmental and economic health of the state.”
(i) Describe one way that restoring water quantity and water quality in the Everglades is expected to improve the structure and function of the ecosystem.
It will help to reestablish biodiversity by re-establishing the habitat of species such as wading birds.
It will help to reestablish biodiversity by stabilizing the food web through the re-establishment of native species.
It would stop the degradation of the coastal areas.
It would lessen the number of algal blooms as a result of less eutrophication.

25. Year 2015, Question 1
(ii) Describe one way that restoring the Everglades is expected to provide economic benefits to Florida.
Restoring the Everglades, cause more people to visit and increasing tourism.
Jobs would be created to fill roles in the revitalized tourism and recreation industries.
The clear water would be maintained, meaning that less money would need to be spent on water treatment.
Tax revenues would increase as new businesses involved in tourism are attracted to the area.

26. Effects of Increased Phosphorus Levels