2.14 Monitoring Populations

Question 1

The ___, ___ or ___ of indicator species can give information about environmental ___ (such as presence of ___).

Answer 1

presence, absence, abundance, qualities, pollutant

Question 2

Susceptible and favoured species can be used to…

Answer 2

monitor an ecosystem

Question 3

Absence or reduced population indicates that a species is ___.
Abundance or increased population indicates that a species is ___.

Answer 3

susceptible.

favoured.

Question 4

Name a method of estimating population size.

Answer 4

Mark and recapture

Question 5

Mark and recapture uses the formula:

Answer 5

N = MC / R

Question 6

What does N = MC / R represent?

Answer 6

N = The total population estimate
M = A sample of the population that is marked (via capture and release)
C = A second sample is captured (after a set time interval)
R = The number of individuals in the second sample who were marked earlier

Question 7

The mark and recapture method assumes three things. What are they?

Answer 7

1. all individuals have an equal chance of capture
2. there is no emigration or immigration
3. Individuals that are captured and released will mix fully and randomly with the population

Question 8

Methods of marking animals include…

Answer 8

tagging,
banding,
painting,
surgical implantation,
hair clipping

Question 9

The chosen method of marking and subsequent observation must minimise…

Answer 9

impact on the study species

Question 10

An experiment is not reliable if it does not have an…

Answer 10

independent replicate