Assignment:
Estimating the Red Wolf Population Part I
- Answer the following questions while in the Phase 2 lab environment.
Section 1 (Smaller Population Estimation) - One year ago, you set up your first trap area and caught four red wolves. Each one of the wolves was marked with a white collar. It is now one year later and you have set up six trap areas. Visit these areas and record the total number of re-captured wolves as well as how many are marked with white collars.
Use the following equation when asked to calculate population estimates for the area:
Population Estimate = (Total number re-captured) X (Number marked initially) (Total number re-captured with mark)
1. How many red wolves were initially trapped, marked, and then released last year?
Total re-captured wolves Total re-captured with collars Trap Area 1 2 1 Trap Area 2 3 0 Trap Area 3 2 1 Trap Area 4 1 0 Trap Area 5 0 0 Trap Area 6 3 0 Totals 11 2
2. What was the total number of re-captured red wolves from areas 1 to 6?
3. What was the total number of marked red wolves (re-captured with white collars) from areas 1 to 6?
4. Using the provided equation, calculate the population estimate for the geographical area:
5. The actual population size is 22 red wolves. How did your calculated estimate compare with the actual population size revealed here?
Section 2 (Larger Population Estimation) - One year ago, you set up your first trap area and caught fifteen red wolves. Each one of the wolves was marked with a white collar. It is now one year later and you have set up ten trap areas. Visit these areas and record your results.
6. How many red wolves were initially trapped, marked, and then released last year? Total re-captured wolves Total re-captured with collars Trap Area 1 11 0 Trap Area 2 8 3 Trap Area 3 7 1 Trap Area 4 6 2 Trap Area 5 8 0 Trap Area 6 9 2 Trap Area 7 8 0 Trap Area 8 10 3 Trap Area 9 7 1 Trap Area 10 12 2 Totals 86 14
7. What was the total number of re-captured red wolves from areas 1 to 10?
8. What was the total number of marked red wolves (re-captured with white collars) from areas 1 to 10?
9. Using the equation provided, calculate the population estimate for the geographical area:
10. The actual population size is 100 wolves. How did your calculated estimate compare with the actual population size revealed here?
Part II - For the following questions, provide your response in short answer format (2-3 sentences each). Use this Phase's activities and resources to assist you in answering:
11. Define and explain the term ‘population' from a Biology standpoint.
12. Why is it important to sample populations from an Ecology standpoint?
13. What are the steps involved in the Mark and Recapture Method (Lincoln-Peterson Method) in population sampling?
14. Why would it be important that the data collected under the Mark and Recapture Method be gathered at the same time each year?