Mark, Release And Recapture

Question 1

What does mark, release and recapture measure?

Answer 1

Abundance of a moving species (to give estimate of total population).

Question 2

What are the steps to mark, release, recapture?

Answer 2

-Get a sample of a species using an appropriate technique.
-Mark in a harmless way to count number caught.
-Release back into habitat.
-Wait a time period and resample the same population.
-Count second sample.
-Lincolns index to measure full population.

Question 3

What is Lincolns index?

Answer 3

(First capture X second capture) divided by total caputures.

Question 4

What are the limitations of mark, release, recapture?

Answer 4

-Accuracy depends on capturing a large proportion of a population.
-Animals can move in/out of a study population so total population number can change.