Lincoln Index Flashcard

Front

What is the Lincoln Index?

Back

A method used to estimate the size of a wildlife population based on the capture-mark-recapture technique.

Front

Why is it important that marked and unmarked organisms do not differ in any significant way?

Back

To prevent bias in the population estimate.

Front

What is one assumption for the Lincoln Index to work?

Back

Marked individuals must mix randomly within the population.

Front

What is the first step in the capture-mark-recapture process?

Back

Marking individuals in the first sample.

Front

What happens if marks wear off before the second sampling?

Back

The population estimate will be too high.

Front

How is the estimated population size calculated using the Lincoln Index?

Back

Using the formula: (Number of marked individuals in the first sample x Total number of individuals in the second sample) / Number of marked individuals recaptured.

Front

What is the significance of recapturing marked individuals?

Back

It allows researchers to estimate the total population size.

Front

What does it mean if the population is increasing due to births and immigration?

Back

It violates the assumptions of the Lincoln Index, as it affects the accuracy of population estimates.

Front

What is a potential consequence of not releasing marked individuals back into the population?

Back

It can lead to an inaccurate population estimate.

Front

What is the role of time between samples in the Lincoln Index?

Back

It should be long enough to allow for mixing but not so long that significant population changes occur.