AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE EXAM CORRECT 100%

Biodiversity - Answer Refers to the multitude of different ecosystems in which species form unique communities, interacting with one another and the air, water and soil Conservation - Answer Allowing the use of resources in a responsible manner-- "scientific management" Preservation - Answer Setting aside wilderness areas and protecting them from human activities on public land Keystone Species - Answer Species whose role in an ecosystem are more important than others (sea otters, sea stars, grizzly bears, prairie dogs) Indicator Species - Answer Species that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is being damaged (trout) Characteristics of Endangered Species - Answer Small range, large territory, live on an island Endangered Species - Answer Group of organisms in danger of becoming extinct if the situation is not improved; population numbers drop below the critical number (North spotted owl--loss of growth forest, Bald Eagle-- thinning of eggs caused by DDT, Piping Plover--Nesting areas threatened by development) Invasive/Alien/Exotic Species - Answer Non-native species to an area; often thrive and disrupt the ecosystem balance (kudzu vine, african honeybee, fire ant, zebra mussel, gypsy moth) Hydrologic Cycle - Answer Evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, infiltration Nitrogen Fixation - Answer N2-->NH3 B/c atmospheric N2 cannot be used directly by plants, it must be converted to ammonia (NH3) by bacteria (rhizobium/cyanobacteria)