Question

Based on the assumptions described in the introduction why might the mark and recapture method of population estimation be more accurate in the lake setting we are studying than in a stream or river

Answer 1

The mark and recapture method for population estimation is found to be less accurate in the rivers or streams as compared to the lakes because of the random motion of the rivers which makes the population more dynamic.

Further explanation

In places where it is difficult to keep a count of the number of individuals of a population, mark and recapture method is used for population size estimation. In this method, random number of individuals are captured from the population which is marked and then released. This followed by capturing another set of individuals. The already marked individuals present in the population captured in the second time are counted. The total population size can be deduced by taking a ratio of marked individualsforthe first time to the marked individuals for the second time. It is also known as Lincoln method named after the scientist who proposed it.

It is formulated as:

N = Kn/k

Where,  

N = total number of individuals  

n = number of marked individuals captured at the first time

K = number of individuals caught at the second time

k = number of marked individuals recaptured

It is supposed that the population under study is closed. This implies that the two visits for capturing the sample must not have a long duration of time gap so as to avoid the fluctuation in population size due to birth and death rate or due to immigration or emigration of individuals. The method also relies on the fact that the marked individuals are evaluated correctly and also the mark does not fall off the individual.

When studying the lake for population estimation, it is easy to follow the mark and recapture method as the lake is steady in nature and involves fewer fluctuations. In contrast, the rivers and streams are in continuous motion which contributes to constant change in population size due to which the marked individuals can be lost and some other individuals can be added to the population. Therefore, this method is not precise in the streams or river settings.  

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Answer details:

Grade: College Biology

Subject: Ecology

Chapter: Population Ecology

Keywords:

Mark and recapture method, Lincoln method, mark, capture, release, population size estimation, birth rate, death rate, immigration, emigration.

Answer 2

Answer:

In ecology, the mark and recapture method is utilized to predict the population size of the animals. In the method, the part of the population is caught, marked, and then discharged. Afterward another part is caught, and the number of marked organisms within the sample is measured.  

The mark and recapture method of predicting the population is more precise in the setting of lakes as a lake is a fairly steady environment, while the streams and rivers are in motion, and thus the population is much more dynamic.