Ecology B/C

[Thunderlight8]

Besides the fact that one is an AP class, Ecology only focuses on specific biomes (don't quote me on this - I don't do this event)

One part of Ecology involves knowledge of specific biomes, changing each year. The event is definitely very similar to common school courses though, including APES. I'm not sure of specifics either, as I also don't do the event.

"Ecology" is the name of the official Science Olympiad event.

"APES", or AP Environmental Science, is a high school course regulated by the College Board.

Having competed in Ecology and taken the AP test for AP Environmental Science, I've noticed that although they share quite a bit of overlap, there are a few major differences

Ecology focuses much more on biomes than APES. Biomes are still part of APES but aren't stressed nearly as much.

APES focuses more on "case studies". Case studies are events in the past that deal with ecological concepts. Examples of case studies include the Three Gorges Dam, Chernobyl, and Love Canal. Case studies are still important in Ecology but not as much so as in APES.

APES also requires much more in-depth writing than Ecology. Whereas on Ecology tests most free response sections require a basic description of an ecological concept, the free response section of the APES AP test requires much more critical analyzation. For example, when I took the AP test I was provided an article on white-nosed bat syndrome and asked a few questions about it. One of the questions was "why do diseases like white-nosed syndrome rarely cause extinction of a species". This question required the application of multiple ecological concepts, rare for the questions found on most Ecology tests.

Thanks for the in-depth answer. I might try this event next year, since I'm studying over summer for APES, so I don't know if it'll help. It's hard to find resources to study for science olympiad events in general, but there's a ton for APES.

[SenseiSushi]

Thanks for the in-depth answer. I might try this event next year, since I'm studying over summer for APES, so I don't know if it'll help. It's hard to find resources to study for science olympiad events in general, but there's a ton for APES.

No problem! Studying for Ecology/Green Generation helped me tremendously with the AP test for APES. If you have access to the Ecology/Green Generation event CDs, they are the best study resources to use. Otherwise, you should be able to compete well by just studying for APES.

[bmd234]

I feel like this is a stupid question but if deserts/xeric grasslands are grasslands then how are deserts and grasslands separate topics for this year? If they're different what's the difference between a xeric/desert grassland and a desert?

[SenseiSushi]

I feel like this is a stupid question but if deserts/xeric grasslands are grasslands then how are deserts and grasslands separate topics for this year? If they're different what's the difference between a xeric/desert grassland and a desert?

It's not a stupid question, the topic is just a bit misleading.

I believe "xeric grasslands" refers to dry shrubland whereas "grassland" refers to traditional grasslands (the Great Plains and African savannas).

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