AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Noise Pollution
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.
List two distinct effects noise pollution has on animals in ecological systems.
Noise pollution can cause physiological stress in animals and lead to changes in their migratory routes.
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List two distinct effects noise pollution has on animals in ecological systems.
Noise pollution can cause physiological stress in animals and lead to changes in their migratory routes.
Identify three major sources of noise pollution in urban areas.
Three major sources of noise pollution in urban areas are transportation, construction, and domestic and industrial activity.
How does noise pollution affect animal communication and hunting?
Noise pollution can affect animals by masking the sounds they use to communicate with each other or to hunt for prey.
What is meant by the 'masking' effect of noise pollution on animals?
The 'masking' effect is when anthropogenic noise is so loud that it covers or hides the natural sounds animals use for critical functions like communication or hunting.
If a city expands its industrial zone near a wetland, how might this noise pollution affect migratory birds that stop there?
The industrial noise could cause the migratory birds stress or cause them to alter their migratory route to avoid the area altogether.
What are two physiological effects of noise pollution on organisms?
Two physiological effects of noise pollution are increased stress levels and potential for damaged hearing or hearing loss.
A new highway is built through a forest. What is a potential effect on predatory animals in that ecosystem that rely on sound to locate prey?
The highway noise could mask the sounds of prey, making it more difficult for predators to successfully hunt.
What is noise pollution?
Noise pollution is sound at levels high enough to cause physiological stress and hearing loss.
What is the primary origin of activities that cause noise pollution?
Human activities, such as transportation and industrial processes, are the primary origin of noise pollution.
Besides hearing and communication, what is another way noise pollution can impact animal behavior?
Noise pollution can cause changes to the migratory routes of animals, altering their natural movement patterns.