AP Environmental Science · Unit 1 · Atmosphere & Biosphere
Earth Systems: every key term you need
18 flashcard terms for AP Environmental Science Unit 1, written to match the course framework. Study them here, then drill them as interactive flashcards — free, no account needed.
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Biosphere All living organisms and ecosystems on Earth; extends from atmosphere to deep oceans.
Ecosystem Community of organisms and physical environment interacting together.
Population Group of same species living in same geographic area at same time.
Community Different populations of species living and interacting in same area.
Biome Large geographic area with similar climate, vegetation, and wildlife.
Habitat Specific place where organism lives; has resources and conditions for survival.
Niche Organism's role and position in environment; how it survives and reproduces.
Producer Organism using sunlight to make food; forms base of food chain.
Consumer Organism eating other organisms for food; herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore.
Decomposer Organism breaking down dead matter returning nutrients to soil.
Food Chain Linear feeding relationship: producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer.
Food Web Complex interconnected food chains showing all feeding relationships.
Energy Flow Movement of energy from sun through organisms; decreases at each level.
Nutrient Cycling Movement of elements like carbon and nitrogen through organisms and environment.
Succession Gradual change in ecosystem composition over time.
Primary Succession Ecological change on previously barren area; slow initial process.
Secondary Succession Faster ecological recovery after disturbance; soil already present.
Carrying Capacity Maximum population size environment can sustain indefinitely.
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