AP Environmental Science Unit 4 Review (Everything You Need to Know!)

Summary

This video provides an in-depth exploration of environmental science concepts, covering watersheds, Earth's seasons, geography's influence on climate, and oceanic phenomena like El Niño and La Niña. Key topics include how slope, vegetation, and soil affect water movement and quality, the role of Earth's axial tilt in creating seasons, the impact of mountain ranges and bodies of water on local climate, and the alternating weather patterns of El Niño and La Niña. The script offers a comprehensive understanding of how natural processes shape the environment and weather patterns across the globe.

Takeaways

• 😀 Steeper slopes result in more runoff and less infiltration into the soil, whereas flatter areas promote groundwater recharge.
• 😀 Vegetation and permeable soils filter pollutants from water, improving water quality in watersheds.
• 😀 Urban areas with impermeable surfaces like pavement increase runoff and contribute to water pollution.
• 😀 Insolation, or solar radiation, varies across Earth's surface, influencing temperature and climate patterns.
• 😀 Areas near the equator receive more direct solar radiation, leading to higher insolation compared to regions at higher latitudes.
• 😀 Earth's 23.5° tilt causes the seasons by influencing which hemisphere is closer to the Sun at different times of the year.
• 😀 During the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, experiencing longer days and warmer temperatures.
• 😀 The September equinox and March equinox result in equal day length across both hemispheres, with the Sun’s rays hitting the equator.
• 😀 The winter solstice in December marks the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere and the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere.
• 😀 Proximity to large bodies of water can influence local climate by moderating temperatures, while mountain ranges create rain shadow effects.
• 😀 El Niño and La Niña are opposing climate phenomena that impact weather patterns in the Pacific Ocean and surrounding regions, altering precipitation and temperatures.

Q & A

How does the slope of the land affect water runoff in a watershed?

The steeper the slope of the land, the more likely it is that water will run off across the surface rather than infiltrate the soil. This reduces the chance of groundwater replenishment and increases surface runoff.

What role do vegetation and soil type play in water movement and quality within a watershed?

Vegetation and permeable soil help increase the amount of water that can infiltrate the ground, reducing runoff. Additionally, they help filter out pollutants from the water as it moves through the soil and plant roots.

How do urban areas impact water quality in a watershed?

Urban areas with impermeable surfaces like pavement lead to increased runoff. This runoff can carry pollutants such as sediment, plastic, motor oil, and fertilizers into rivers, potentially degrading water quality.

What is insolation, and how does it vary across Earth's surface?

Insolation refers to the amount of solar radiation received at Earth's surface. It varies based on latitude, with areas near the equator receiving more direct sunlight and higher levels of insolation, while areas farther from the equator receive more diffuse radiation.

How does Earth's axial tilt contribute to the changing seasons?

Earth's tilt of about 23.5° causes different hemispheres to be tilted toward or away from the Sun during its orbit. This tilt leads to seasonal changes, with the hemisphere tilted toward the Sun experiencing summer and the other experiencing winter.

What occurs during the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere?

On the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21st, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted maximally toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day of the year and the highest solar radiation, marking the start of summer.

What is the rain shadow effect, and how does it influence precipitation patterns?

The rain shadow effect occurs when mountains block the passage of moist air, causing heavy precipitation on the windward side and dry conditions on the leeward side. This results in lush vegetation on the windward side and often deserts on the leeward side.

Can you explain how the Great Lakes region experiences lake-effect snow?

In the Great Lakes region, prevailing winds move from west to east, picking up moisture from the lakes. When this moist air reaches land, it cools and releases the moisture as snow, creating the lake-effect snow phenomenon, particularly in areas near the lakes.

What are the main differences between El Niño and La Niña events?

During El Niño, the trade winds weaken, causing warm surface waters to accumulate along the coast of South America, leading to higher rainfall in some areas and droughts in others. In contrast, La Niña intensifies the trade winds, pushing warm waters westward, causing cooler and drier conditions in South America and promoting stronger upwelling along the coast.

How does the process of upwelling contribute to ocean productivity?

Upwelling occurs when cold, nutrient-rich waters rise to the surface to replace warm surface waters. This brings oxygen and nutrients to surface waters, supporting marine life and making the area more productive for fisheries.