Populations
APES Unit 3 Flashcards
Review population growth, carrying capacity, survivorship and demography with free AP Environmental Science flashcards.
Test your recall
How to studyChoose All flashcards to start studying.
What is covered in APES Unit 3?
Unit 3 connects population ecology with human demography. Study how resources limit growth, interpret survivorship and age structure, and explain changes in births, deaths and migration. Choose a topic to practise its ten flashcards.
- 3.1 Generalist and Specialist Species (10 cards)
- 3.2 K-Selected and r-Selected Species (10 cards)
- 3.3 Survivorship Curves (10 cards)
- 3.4 Carrying Capacity (10 cards)
- 3.5 Population Growth and Resource Availability (10 cards)
- 3.6 Age Structure Diagrams (10 cards)
- 3.7 Total Fertility Rate (10 cards)
- 3.8 Human Population Dynamics (10 cards)
- 3.9 Demographic Transition (10 cards)
Populations carries a published 10–15% weighting in the multiple-choice section. Use flashcards for recall, then apply the ideas to graphs, calculations and written explanations.
How to study populations with flashcards
- Compare the models.Distinguish generalists from specialists, r-selected from K-selected traits, and exponential from logistic growth. Explain the conditions behind each pattern.
- Read the graph.Identify axes, age groups and trends before interpreting a survivorship curve or population pyramid. Connect the shape to the underlying population processes.
- Calculate and review.Show your working and units. Mark uncertain cards as Needs practice, revisit that deck and use the Unit 3 quiz to check application.
Population change: births + immigration − deaths − emigration. Keep the geographic area and time period consistent.
Doubling-time check: at a roughly constant 2% annual growth rate, the rule of 70 estimates a doubling time of 70 ÷ 2 = 35 years. Use 2 as the percentage value in this shortcut.
Carrying-capacity check: K can change with resources and environmental conditions. In the logistic model, total growth is fastest near K/2 and slows as population size approaches K.
APES Unit 3 flashcard FAQs
What do APES Unit 3 flashcards cover?
These 90 flashcards cover all nine Unit 3 topics: generalist and specialist species, reproductive strategies, survivorship curves, carrying capacity, population growth, age structure, fertility, human populations and demographic transition.
How much of the AP Environmental Science exam is Unit 3?
College Board assigns Unit 3: Populations a 10–15% weighting in the multiple-choice section. Include all nine course units in your exam revision plan.
How are exponential and logistic population growth different?
Exponential growth assumes a constant per capita growth rate with no resource constraint and produces a J-shaped curve. Logistic growth incorporates carrying capacity, so growth slows as the population approaches K.
How do I use the rule of 70 in APES?
Divide 70 by the annual growth rate written as a percentage. At 2% annual growth, approximate doubling time is 35 years. The estimate assumes a roughly constant positive growth rate.
Does my Unit 3 flashcard progress save?
Favorites and self-assessment results save in this browser when local storage is available. Unit 3 has its own saved progress, separate from other decks, and does not sync across devices. Reset progress clears this deck’s results.