2023 AP AP Environmental Science 模擬試題連答案詳解

Researchers studied the effectiveness of different riparian buffer zone restoration methods along a river bordering agricultural fields in the Midwestern United States. Three distinct 100-meter riparian zones were established and monitored over a 15-year period:

- Zone 1 (Natural Regeneration): The streamside bank was left unmanaged, allowing native and non-native pioneer plants to colonize naturally without intervention.
- Zone 2 (Engineered Agroforestry): The streamside bank was graded, amended with compost, and actively planted with a multi-layered strip of deep-rooted native hardwood trees, shrubs, and perennial prairie grasses.
- Zone 3 (Control / No Buffer): Traditional agricultural farming was maintained with row crops planted directly up to the stream edge.

Researchers recorded the mean nitrate (\(\text{NO}_3^-\)) concentration in shallow groundwater entering the stream from each zone over time. The results are shown in the table below.

### Mean Nitrate Concentration in Shallow Groundwater (mg/L)
| Years After Establishment | Zone 1: Natural Regeneration (mg/L) | Zone 2: Engineered Agroforestry (mg/L) | Zone 3: No Buffer / Control (mg/L) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Year 1 | 28.5 | 27.8 | 29.1 |
| Year 5 | 21.0 | 12.4 | 28.9 |
| Year 10 | 14.2 | 6.1 | 29.5 |
| Year 15 | 8.5 | 3.2 | 30.0 |

(a) Based on the data in the table, identify the mean nitrate concentration in groundwater entering the stream in Zone 2 ten years after establishment.

(b) Based on the data in the table, describe the relationship between the age of the buffer zone and the mean nitrate concentration in groundwater for Zone 1.

(c) Researchers hypothesized that active planting of mixed woody and perennial vegetation (engineered agroforestry) reduces nitrate concentrations entering waterways more rapidly than passive natural regeneration. Using the data in the table, make a claim that supports or refutes this hypothesis.

(d) Describe one ecosystem service, other than water filtration/nutrient uptake, provided by riparian buffer zones.

(e) Explain how the rate of nitrate removal by plant uptake in the riparian buffers would be altered during winter in a temperate deciduous forest biome compared to the summer months.

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To evaluate how soil compaction from farm equipment influences surface runoff and soil erosion, students set up a field simulation. They marked three identical \(2\text{ m} \times 2\text{ m}\) plots on a uniform 5% slope with the same loam soil type:

- Plot A (High Compaction): Driven over repeatedly with heavy tractor tires.
- Plot B (Moderate Compaction): Compacted only by human foot traffic.
- Plot C (Uncompacted): Tilled and loosened, with no machinery or foot traffic.

Each plot received 60 liters of water evenly sprinkled over a 30-minute period. Runoff water from the downslope edge of each plot was captured in collection buckets, and the total volume of runoff and total suspended solids (TSS) were measured.

(f) Identify the scientific question for the students' investigation.

(g) Identify the independent variable in the experiment.

(h) Explain how the results of the experiment would likely be altered if all three plots were planted with a dense cover crop of clover prior to testing.

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Runoff from agricultural lands can severely impact nearby aquatic ecosystems.

(i) Describe one ecological impact on aquatic organisms that can result from increased turbidity caused by agricultural soil erosion.

(j) Describe one agricultural management practice, other than establishing riparian buffers, that farmers can use to reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff into nearby waterways.

The lionfish (Pterois volitans) is an invasive predatory marine fish native to the Indo-Pacific that was introduced into Atlantic and Caribbean coastal waters in the late twentieth century. Lionfish possess venomous dorsal spines, have virtually no natural predators in their introduced range, and mature rapidly, with a single female producing over two million eggs annually. Lionfish consume large quantities of juvenile native reef fish and crustaceans.

The following is an example of a simplified coral reef food chain in the Caribbean:

$$\text{Microalgae/Turf Algae} \longrightarrow \text{Herbivorous Fish (Parrotfish)} \longrightarrow \text{Native Carnivore (Nassau Grouper)} \longrightarrow \text{Apex Predator (Reef Shark)}$$

(a) Based on the information provided, identify one life-history characteristic of lionfish that makes them an effective invasive species.

(b) Describe how the feeding behavior of lionfish directly alters the population size of herbivorous reef fish, such as parrotfish.

(c) Stoplight parrotfish graze heavily on turf algae that compete with corals for light and substrate. Explain how an increase in lionfish numbers can indirectly lead to a reduction in coral reef health.

(d) Coral reefs provide crucial ecosystem services to coastal human communities. Describe one provisioning or cultural ecosystem service provided by coral reefs that is threatened by lionfish proliferation.

(e) Propose a realistic management strategy to reduce the population and spread of invasive lionfish in coastal reef systems.

(f) Justify the solution proposed in part (e) by providing an additional ecological or economic advantage.

(g) Based on the simplified food chain, identify the trophic level of the parrotfish.

(h) Describe the change in energy flow through the trophic levels of the reef ecosystem if lionfish outcompete and displace native primary and secondary consumers.

(i) Many Caribbean coastal waters have historically suffered from the overexploitation of large predatory fish by local fishing fleets in open-access waters. Describe how overfishing in these open-access marine areas exemplifies the tragedy of the commons.

(j) One strategy to help restore depleted marine fisheries is establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or no-take marine reserves. Describe one potential economic or social disadvantage of establishing an MPA for local coastal communities.

Coal-fired power plants have historically supplied a large share of the world's electricity. However, the extraction, combustion, and waste disposal associated with coal energy production cause significant environmental concerns. Many communities are considering transitioning part of their electrical generation to renewable alternatives, such as utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar installations.

(a) Describe one negative ecological impact on aquatic ecosystems associated with the disposal of coal combustion residuals (coal ash) in unlined storage ponds.

(b) Identify an atmospheric pollutant, other than carbon dioxide, released during the combustion of coal.

(c) Propose a realistic solution at the facility level to reduce sulfur dioxide (\(\text{SO}_2\)) emissions from an existing coal-fired power plant.

(d) Justify the solution proposed in part (c) by describing an additional benefit of this solution, other than the reduction of sulfur dioxide.

An existing coal-fired power plant generates \(4.2 \times 10^9\text{ kWh}\) of electricity per year. Burning coal in this facility releases \(0.95\text{ kg}\) of \(\text{CO}_2\) into the atmosphere for every \(\text{kWh}\) of electricity produced.

(e) Calculate the mass of \(\text{CO}_2\), in kilograms, released annually by this coal-fired power plant. Show your work.

(f) The regional utility company plans to construct a utility-scale solar PV facility to replace a portion of the coal plant's generation. Each photovoltaic panel produces an average of \(400\text{ kWh}\) of electricity per year. Calculate the number of solar panels needed to generate \(1.2 \times 10^8\text{ kWh}\) of electricity in one year. Show your work.

(g) Each solar panel requires \(2.5\text{ m}^2\) of land area for installation. One hectare (\(\text{ha}\)) is equal to \(10,000\text{ m}^2\). Calculate the total land area, in hectares, required to install the \(300,000\) solar panels calculated in part (f). Show your work.