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ScienceEnvironmental Science

AP Environmental Science

Study environmental systems, human pressures, resource choices, pollution, and evidence-based responses across local and global scales.

Start with the course map All AP courses

Course map

Open a section, then choose the exact idea.

1The Living World: Ecosystems11 topics

Trace matter and energy through biomes, biogeochemical cycles, productivity, trophic levels, and interconnected food webs.

  1. 1.1Introduction to Ecosystems
  2. 1.2Terrestrial Biomes
  3. 1.3Aquatic Biomes
  4. 1.4The Carbon Cycle
  5. 1.5The Nitrogen Cycle
  6. 1.6The Phosphorus Cycle
  7. 1.7The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
  8. 1.8Primary Productivity
  9. 1.9Trophic Levels
  10. 1.10Energy Flow and the 10% Rule
  11. 1.11Food Chains and Food Webs

2The Living World: Biodiversity7 topics

Explain the value, distribution, tolerance, adaptation, disturbance, and succession patterns that shape biological diversity.

  1. 2.1Introduction to Biodiversity
  2. 2.2Ecosystem Services
  3. 2.3Island Biogeography
  4. 2.4Ecological Tolerance
  5. 2.5Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems
  6. 2.6Adaptations
  7. 2.7Ecological Succession

3Populations9 topics

Use life-history strategies, survivorship, carrying capacity, growth, age structure, fertility, and demographic change to analyze populations.

  1. 3.1Generalist and Specialist Species
  2. 3.2K-Selected r-Selected Species
  3. 3.3Survivorship Curves
  4. 3.4Carrying Capacity
  5. 3.5Population Growth and Resource Availability
  6. 3.6Age Structure Diagrams
  7. 3.7Total Fertility Rate
  8. 3.8Human Population Dynamics
  9. 3.9Demographic Transition

4Earth Systems and Resources9 topics

Connect geologic, soil, atmospheric, watershed, solar, geographic, climate, and ocean-atmosphere processes within Earth systems.

  1. 4.1Plate Tectonics
  2. 4.2Soil Formation and Erosion
  3. 4.3Soil Composition and Properties
  4. 4.4Earth’s Atmosphere
  5. 4.5Global Wind Patterns
  6. 4.6Watersheds
  7. 4.7Solar Radiation and Earth’s Seasons
  8. 4.8Earth’s Geography and Climate
  9. 4.9El Niño and La Niña

5Land and Water Use17 topics

Evaluate how agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, cities, and shared-resource decisions affect ecosystems and sustainability.

  1. 5.1The Tragedy of the Commons
  2. 5.2Clearcutting
  3. 5.3The Green Revolution
  4. 5.4Impacts of Agricultural Practices
  5. 5.5Irrigation Methods
  6. 5.6Pest Control Methods
  7. 5.7Meat Production Methods
  8. 5.8Impacts of Overfishing
  9. 5.9Impacts of Mining
  10. 5.10Impacts of Urbanization
  11. 5.11Ecological Footprints
  12. 5.12Introduction to Sustainability
  13. 5.13Methods to Reduce Urban Runoff
  14. 5.14Integrated Pest Management
  15. 5.15Sustainable Agriculture
  16. 5.16Aquaculture
  17. 5.17Sustainable Forestry

6Energy Resources and Consumption13 topics

Compare energy demand, resource distribution, fuel systems, electricity sources, environmental tradeoffs, and conservation strategies.

  1. 6.1Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
  2. 6.2Global Energy Consumption
  3. 6.3Fuel Types and Uses
  4. 6.4Distribution of Natural Energy Resources
  5. 6.5Fossil Fuels
  6. 6.6Nuclear Power
  7. 6.7Energy from Biomass
  8. 6.8Solar Energy
  9. 6.9Hydroelectric Power
  10. 6.10Geothermal Energy
  11. 6.11Hydrogen Fuel Cell
  12. 6.12Wind Energy
  13. 6.13Energy Conservation

7Atmospheric Pollution8 topics

Identify sources, chemistry, movement, health effects, and mitigation of outdoor, indoor, and noise pollution in the atmosphere.

  1. 7.1Introduction to Air Pollution
  2. 7.2Photochemical Smog
  3. 7.3Thermal Inversion
  4. 7.4Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates
  5. 7.5Indoor Air Pollutants
  6. 7.6Reduction of Air Pollutants
  7. 7.7Acid Rain
  8. 7.8Noise Pollution

8Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution15 topics

Analyze pollutant sources, ecosystem and health effects, dose-response evidence, waste systems, and methods that reduce contamination.

  1. 8.1Sources of Pollution
  2. 8.2Human Impacts on Ecosystems
  3. 8.3Endocrine Disruptors
  4. 8.4Human Impacts on Wetlands and Mangroves
  5. 8.5Eutrophication
  6. 8.6Thermal Pollution
  7. 8.7Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
  8. 8.8Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
  9. 8.9Solid Waste Disposal
  10. 8.10Waste Reduction Methods
  11. 8.11Sewage Treatment
  12. 8.12Lethal Dose 50% (LD50)
  13. 8.13Dose Response Curve
  14. 8.14Pollution and Human Health
  15. 8.15Pathogens and Infectious Diseases

9Global Change10 topics

Connect atmospheric chemistry, climate, ocean change, invasive species, extinction risk, and human actions to global biodiversity outcomes.

  1. 9.1Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
  2. 9.2Reducing Ozone Depletion
  3. 9.3The Greenhouse Effect
  4. 9.4Increases in the Greenhouse Gases
  5. 9.5Global Climate Change
  6. 9.6Ocean Warming
  7. 9.7Ocean Acidification
  8. 9.8Invasive Species
  9. 9.9Endangered Species
  10. 9.10Human Impacts on Biodiversity