The Living World: Ecosystems
APES Unit 1 Flashcards
Learn ecosystems, biomes, nutrient cycles and energy flow with free, interactive AP Environmental Science flashcards.
Test your recall
How to studyChoose All flashcards to start studying.
What is covered in APES Unit 1?
This APES Unit 1 flashcard set follows The Living World: Ecosystems. Work through the topics in order or choose a topic in the deck to focus your revision.
- 1.1 Introduction to Ecosystems (6 cards)
- 1.2 Terrestrial Biomes (5 cards)
- 1.3 Aquatic Biomes (5 cards)
- 1.4 The Carbon Cycle (5 cards)
- 1.5 The Nitrogen Cycle (5 cards)
- 1.6 The Phosphorus Cycle (5 cards)
- 1.7 The Hydrologic Cycle (5 cards)
- 1.8 Primary Productivity (5 cards)
- 1.9 Trophic Levels (5 cards)
- 1.10 Energy Flow and the 10% Rule (5 cards)
- 1.11 Food Chains and Food Webs (5 cards)
College Board lists Unit 1 at 6–8% of the multiple-choice section. Check the official AP Environmental Science course framework for course coverage and weighting.
How to use these ecosystem flashcards
- Recall first.Read the question and say or write your answer before flipping the card. Use Answer first mode to practise working from a definition back to a concept.
- Rate your recall.After reviewing both sides, choose Needs practice or Got it. Save useful cards as favorites and revisit them using the Study deck filter.
- Apply the idea.Explain the process in a new example, sketch a cycle or solve a short calculation. Then use the Unit 1 practice quiz to check your understanding.
Quick calculation check: if producers store 10,000 kcal, the 10% approximation gives primary consumers about 1,000 kcal and secondary consumers about 100 kcal. Keep the trophic levels and units clear; real transfer efficiencies vary.
For primary productivity, use NPP = GPP − producer respiration. Explain why the remaining energy matters to consumers, rather than memorizing the equation alone.
APES Unit 1 flashcard FAQs
What do APES Unit 1 flashcards cover?
These 56 flashcards cover all 11 Unit 1 topics: ecosystems, terrestrial and aquatic biomes, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and water cycles, primary productivity, trophic levels, energy transfer and food webs.
How much of the APES exam is Unit 1?
College Board assigns Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems a 6–8% weighting in the multiple-choice section. Use that range to plan revision while studying all nine units.
How should I study with these ecosystem flashcards?
Answer a question before revealing the answer. Choose Needs practice or Got it, then revisit your review deck. Follow recall practice with the Unit 1 notes, quiz, calculations and written explanations.
What is the difference between GPP and NPP?
Gross primary productivity is the total rate of energy capture by producers. Net primary productivity subtracts producer respiration: NPP = GPP − R. Both are rates and should use consistent units.
Does my flashcard progress save?
Favorites and self-assessment results are saved in this browser when local storage is available. They do not sync between devices. Reset progress clears the saved results for this deck.