Question

what can be estimated from the tag and recapture method?
speed of animal movement
age distribution of population
exact population size
general total population

Explanation:

The tag - and - recapture method is a sampling technique used in ecology. It is based on the principle that a proportion of a population is captured, tagged, and released. Then, after some time, another sample is taken. By using the proportion of tagged individuals in the second sample, an estimate of the general total population can be made. It does not give the exact population size (due to assumptions like no births, deaths, immigration, or emigration during the sampling period and random mixing of the population). It also does not directly measure the speed of animal movement or the age distribution of the population. The formula for the Lincoln - Petersen estimator (a simple form of tag - recapture) is \(N=\frac{M\times n}{m}\), where \(N\) is the estimated population size, \(M\) is the number of individuals tagged in the first sample, \(n\) is the size of the second sample, and \(m\) is the number of tagged individuals in the second sample. This formula gives an estimate of the general total population.

Answer:

D. general total population