AP Environmental Science FRQ ALL 3 QUESTIONS (Set 2)

Answer all three questions, which are weighted equally; the suggested time is about 22 minutes for answering each question. Where calculations are required, clearly show how you arrived at your answer. Where explanation or discussion is required, support your answers with relevant information and/or specific examples.

Soil erosion is one of the most serious soil-degrading processes. Refer to the graph above for the following.

Identify the scientific question that resulted in the data presented in the first graph.

Identify the agricultural practice that could be used on a 15% slope without leading to a higher than tolerable loss of soil.

Describe the effect of adding a cover crop compared to using the no-till method.

Identify one natural mechanism of soil erosion.

Sediment from erosion can enter streams and affect water quality. Identify the dependent variable stated in the hypothesis.

Describe one way to add a control to improve the design of the study.

Identify one variable that was not discussed that could affect the results of the study.

Based on the data in the table above, make a claim about the stated hypothesis.

Describe the type of survivorship curve expected for these fish species.

Explain why the input of sediment to a stream can negatively affect reproduction of fish that lay their eggs in the gravel of the streambed.

Biodiversity around the world is changing as a result of anthropogenic influences. Use the map to answer the following questions.

Identify the latitudinal range with the greatest amphibian species richness.

Identify what biome this range most likely represents.

Describe one reason amphibian species richness would tend to be highest in this region.

Describe one possible anthropogenic reason for deforestation.

Explain how the species richness of an ecosystem influences its response to environmental stressors.

Explain why amphibian biodiversity is declining globally, other than from deforestation.

Identify one specific piece of legislation that has been designed to protect species threatened by extinction.

Explain how the requirements of the legislation identified in part (d)(i) specifically protect species threatened by extinction.

Propose a viable solution that will result in the protection of the native frog species while still allowing for maximum profit of the property development.

Justify the solution proposed in (e)(i) by describing a potential advantage of the plan, other than frog protection.

Approximately 350 coal-fired power plants in the United States are older than the 30-year anticipated life-span for a coal generator.

Describe why coal is considered a nonrenewable energy source.

Describe one potential environmental advantage of replacing a coal-fired power plant with a natural-gas power plant.

Describe one economic advantage of using natural gas, rather than coal, in producing electricity.

Propose a solution to reduce the incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning in humans.

Calculate the percent change in the average annual PM 2.5 concentration in the air from 1990 to 2016. Show your work.

Calculate the decrease in PM 2.5 removal in kilograms if logging reduced a forested area from 50,000 hectares to 43,000 hectares. Show your work.

Calculate the anticipated increase in the number of hospital admissions for cardiovascular issues during the next year if the PM 2.5 concentration continues to rise at an identical rate. Show your work.