Question

To measure the population density of chipmunks occupying Baker Park, you sample several quadrats and capture 50 chipmunks. You mark each of them with a small dot of red paint on their backs, and then release them. The next day, another 50 chipmunks are captured. Among the 50, you find 10 that are marked.

a. How many chipmunks do you estimate the population contains?

b. What effect would each of these discoveries have on your estimate?

i. You later discover that you sampled the one area of the park that was most favored by the chipmunks.

ii. You later discover that the chipmunks were licking the marks off of each others’ backs.

iii. You later discover that the marked chipmunks are easier to see and therefore more susceptible to predation