AP Environmental Science Unit 5 questions
and answers with solutions 2025
The Tragedy of the Commons - ANSWER The tendency of a shared, limited resource to become
depleted as people act from self-interest for short-term gain from overuse.
How fisheries can be susceptible to the tragedy of the commons - ANSWER The different fish
among different ecological regions have led to competition for fish among nations without
restrictions or replenishment.
Externalities - ANSWER A cost or benefit of a good or service that is not included in the
purchased price of the food or service.
Maximum Sustainable Yield - ANSWER The maximum amount that can be harvested from a
resource without compromising the future availability of that resource. Can be be found
halfway to carrying capacity on a growth diagram (logistic growth as s-shaped). Will insure a
future population of a resource (food), but also leave enough for safe competition.
BLM Lands (Bureau of Land Management) - ANSWER Grazing, mining, timber, recreation.
USFS Lands (United States Forest Service) - ANSWER Timber harvesting, grazing, and recreation.
NPS Lands (National Parks Service) - ANSWER Recreation and conservation.
FWS Lands (Fish & Wildlife Services) - ANSWER Wildlife conservation, hunting, and recreation.
The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 - ANSWER Regulated overgrazing by converting to a permit
system to limit the number of animals overgrazing. Is said to have been backed by BLM in order
to promote grazing.
, Clear-Cutting - ANSWER Removing all or almost all the trees within an area and is the easiest
and most economical method. May reduce biodiversity and can cause wind and water erosion
on slopes.
Selective Cutting - ANSWER Removes single or small numbers of trees in a given area. Allows for
reseeding and younger trees planted but can only specifically target shade-tolerant species.
NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) - ANSWER Mandated an environmental assessment of
all projects involving federal money or federal permits.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - ANSWER A statement that outlines the scope and
purpose of an architectural project, its environmental context, and environmental impacts or
alternatives.
Impact of Fire Suppression - ANSWER Suppressed fires can often lead to an accumulation of
dead biomass, which built up until fire was inevitable.
Prescribed Burns - ANSWER Fires set under controlled conditions that help reduce risky fires
and recycle biomass, avoiding build-up.
Famine - ANSWER The condition in which food insecurity is so extreme that large numbers of
deaths occur over a relatively short period.
Food Security - ANSWER People's ability to access sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a
healthy and active life.
Food Insecurity - ANSWER A condition in which people do not have adequate access to food.
and answers with solutions 2025
The Tragedy of the Commons - ANSWER The tendency of a shared, limited resource to become
depleted as people act from self-interest for short-term gain from overuse.
How fisheries can be susceptible to the tragedy of the commons - ANSWER The different fish
among different ecological regions have led to competition for fish among nations without
restrictions or replenishment.
Externalities - ANSWER A cost or benefit of a good or service that is not included in the
purchased price of the food or service.
Maximum Sustainable Yield - ANSWER The maximum amount that can be harvested from a
resource without compromising the future availability of that resource. Can be be found
halfway to carrying capacity on a growth diagram (logistic growth as s-shaped). Will insure a
future population of a resource (food), but also leave enough for safe competition.
BLM Lands (Bureau of Land Management) - ANSWER Grazing, mining, timber, recreation.
USFS Lands (United States Forest Service) - ANSWER Timber harvesting, grazing, and recreation.
NPS Lands (National Parks Service) - ANSWER Recreation and conservation.
FWS Lands (Fish & Wildlife Services) - ANSWER Wildlife conservation, hunting, and recreation.
The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 - ANSWER Regulated overgrazing by converting to a permit
system to limit the number of animals overgrazing. Is said to have been backed by BLM in order
to promote grazing.
, Clear-Cutting - ANSWER Removing all or almost all the trees within an area and is the easiest
and most economical method. May reduce biodiversity and can cause wind and water erosion
on slopes.
Selective Cutting - ANSWER Removes single or small numbers of trees in a given area. Allows for
reseeding and younger trees planted but can only specifically target shade-tolerant species.
NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) - ANSWER Mandated an environmental assessment of
all projects involving federal money or federal permits.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - ANSWER A statement that outlines the scope and
purpose of an architectural project, its environmental context, and environmental impacts or
alternatives.
Impact of Fire Suppression - ANSWER Suppressed fires can often lead to an accumulation of
dead biomass, which built up until fire was inevitable.
Prescribed Burns - ANSWER Fires set under controlled conditions that help reduce risky fires
and recycle biomass, avoiding build-up.
Famine - ANSWER The condition in which food insecurity is so extreme that large numbers of
deaths occur over a relatively short period.
Food Security - ANSWER People's ability to access sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a
healthy and active life.
Food Insecurity - ANSWER A condition in which people do not have adequate access to food.
