Question

studies of cougar population density
study authors location methods study area (square kilometers) maximum density (cougars per 100 square kilometers)
linda l. sweanor et al. new mexico (united states) radio - collar tracking 2,059 2.00
gregory a. davidson et al. oregon (united states) scat - detecting dogs 1,225 5.50
a.j. noss et al. bolivia regular camera trapping 215 7.99
david m. choate et al. utah (united states) helicopter surveying 1300 10.24
studies of the population density of cougars (puma concolor) have yielded a range of results, which may in part reflect differences in the effectiveness of the methods that researchers have used in their studies. for example, the difference between the maximum population density reported by linda l. sweanor et al. and that reported by david m. choate et al. might be artificially large if the use of ______
which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the example?
a) radio - collar tracking is impractical outside of new mexico.
b) radio - collar tracking underestimates the density of cougars.
c) helicopter surveying underestimates the density of cougars.
d) helicopter surveying is more common in utah than the use of radio - collar tracking is.

Explanation:

• Linda L. Sweanor et al. used radio - collar tracking with a maximum density of 2.00 cougars per 100 square kilometers.
• David M. Choate et al. used helicopter surveying with a maximum density of 10.24 cougars per 100 square kilometers.
• If radio - collar tracking underestimates the density of cougars (Option B), it would explain why the difference between their maximum population densities seems artificially large.
• Option A: There is no indication in the table that radio - collar tracking is impractical outside of New Mexico.
• Option C: If helicopter surveying underestimated the density, the difference would be smaller, not larger.
• Option D: The table does not compare the commonness of helicopter surveying in Utah and radio - collar tracking in New Mexico.

Answer:

B. radio - collar tracking underestimates the density of cougars.