And habitat based the theory island biogeography
AP® Environmental Science
Free-Response Questions Set 2
Time—1 hour and 10 minutes
3 Questions
Free Response booklet.
1. The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico occurs every summer when winter snow melts and spring rain flows into the Mississippi River. Recent studies have shown that both the total area covered by algae and the depth of the algal mass in the dead zone are increasing.
(iii) Describe one way that urban areas in the Mississippi River watershed could contribute to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
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(i) Describe how a dead zone affects marine organisms living in the Gulf of Mexico.
(ii) Describe one economic effect on communities along the Gulf of Mexico that can result from the presence of the dead zone.
(iii) Identify one water quality test, other than measuring nitrates or phosphates, that the researchers could use to evaluate how riparian vegetation buffers affect water quality.
(iv) During the investigation, researchers discovered that some of the land next to one of the streams with a riparian vegetation buffer is going to be converted from cornfields into a large-scale concentrated animal feeding operation. Explain one way that this change in land use could alter the results of the study.
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(a) The graph shows data collected by biologists on lizard numbers on several Pacific islands.
(i) Based on the data in the graph, identify the habitat type with the greatest number of lizards. (ii) Based on the data in the graph, describe the relationship between the lizard numbers observed on islands with and without mongoose populations.
(ii) Invasive species are often pests. Make a claim that proposes one way to control pest species.
(iii) Justify the solution proposed in (c)(ii) by providing an additional benefit of the solution.
One solution to the ecological damage of monocultures is to use a form of crop rotation using legumes.
(e) Describe an advantage of crop rotation using legumes on soil fertility.
3. North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states by population in the United States, with most growth concentrated in major cities like Charlotte. Increased population leads to increased demands for resources such as power and water.
The majority of electrical energy in North Carolina is produced during the combustion of coal.
(c) The population of Charlotte, North Carolina, has grown over the last few decades. The table sho ws the increase in the population size of Charlotte from 2013 to 2019.
Population of Charlotte, North Carolina, 2013–2019
2016 808,834
2017 826,060
(iii) The average Charlotte resident uses 90 gallons of water per day. Calculate the gallons of water used by the population of Charlotte in the year 2018. Show your work.
(d) Drought periods are becoming more frequent in North Carolina, causing water resources to become more scarce. Describe one realistic action that citizens could take to reduce domestic outdoor water use.
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