Which of the following best describes how the mark and recapture method is used to estimate the size of a wildlife population?

• A. A sample is marked and released, but only the number of unmarked individuals in the second sample is used to estimate population size.
• B. All individuals in the population are captured, counted, and then released to determine the exact population size.
• C. A sample of individuals is captured, marked, and released; later, another sample is captured, and the proportion of marked individuals in this second sample is used to estimate the total population size.
• D. Individuals are counted only once during a single capture event, and the total number is used as the population estimate.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the mark and recapture method: This method is used to estimate the size of a wildlife population when it is impractical to count every individual. It involves capturing a sample of individuals, marking them, and then releasing them back into the population.
2. Capture and mark the first sample: A group of individuals is captured from the population, marked in a way that does not harm them or alter their behavior, and then released back into their environment.
3. Allow time for mixing: After the marked individuals are released, they are given time to mix back into the population. This ensures that the marked individuals are randomly distributed among the unmarked individuals.
4. Capture a second sample: A second sample of individuals is captured from the population. This sample will include both marked and unmarked individuals.
5. Use the proportion of marked individuals in the second sample to estimate the total population size: The proportion of marked individuals in the second sample is compared to the total number of individuals in the second sample. Using the formula \( N = \frac{M \times C}{R} \), where \( N \) is the estimated population size, \( M \) is the number of marked individuals in the first sample, \( C \) is the total number of individuals in the second sample, and \( R \) is the number of marked individuals recaptured in the second sample, the total population size can be estimated.