The capture-mark-recapture method is also known as which of the following?

The capture-mark-recapture method is referred to as the Lincoln Index. This technique is widely used in ecological studies to estimate the population size of animals in a given area. It involves capturing a number of individuals from a population, marking them, and then releasing them back into their habitat. After some time, a second capture is conducted. By analyzing the proportion of marked individuals in the second sample compared to the total number captured, researchers can estimate the total population size.

The Lincoln Index provides a straightforward formula that utilizes these captured and marked animals to derive estimates, making it a fundamental tool in wildlife management and conservation. Understanding this method’s name is important as it connects the technique to its historical context and the original contributions made by the ecologist who developed it.