AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Clearcutting
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How does clearcutting contribute to an increased risk of flooding?
By removing trees that absorb water and hold soil in place, clearcutting increases surface runoff which can lead to flooding.
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How does clearcutting contribute to an increased risk of flooding?
By removing trees that absorb water and hold soil in place, clearcutting increases surface runoff which can lead to flooding.
List three negative environmental impacts of clearcutting, besides its effect on atmospheric carbon.
Clearcutting leads to soil erosion, increased soil and stream temperatures, and flooding.
A logging company clearcuts a large area on a slope above a river. What is a likely, immediate effect on the river's water quality and temperature?
The river will likely experience increased temperatures due to the loss of shade and increased soil erosion from the slope.
What is the environmental trade-off for the economic advantages of clearcutting?
The economic advantages of clearcutting come at the cost of significant environmental damage, including soil erosion, flooding, and contributions to climate change.
Explain how clearcutting affects soil and stream temperatures.
The removal of the forest canopy during clearcutting exposes the soil and streams to more direct sunlight, causing their temperatures to increase.
What is the primary effect of cutting and burning trees on the atmosphere?
The cutting and burning of trees releases stored carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.
What two crucial environmental services do forests provide regarding the atmosphere?
Forests absorb pollutants from the air and store vast amounts of carbon dioxide.
Define the relationship between clearcutting and climate change.
Clearcutting contributes to climate change because the removal and burning of trees releases large amounts of stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Identify the main economic aspect of clearcutting mentioned in the text.
Clearcutting can be an economically advantageous method for timber harvesting.
To combat global warming, a nation wants to create a carbon sink. Why would preserving its old-growth forests be a more effective strategy than allowing them to be clearcut?
Preserving the forests allows them to continue storing carbon dioxide, whereas clearcutting would release that stored carbon and contribute to climate change.