When a biologist uses the mark-recapture method to determine the population of honey bees in a hive, they are using a method called Population Sampling in ecological studies. Here's why:
1. Population Sampling: This method involves capturing a sample of the population, marking them (e.g., with paint or tags), releasing them back into the population, and then capturing a second sample later. By comparing the number of marked individuals in the second sample to the total number of individuals captured, scientists can estimate the total population size using mathematical formulas.
2. Example: In the case of honey bees, a biologist may capture a group of bees from a hive, mark them with a harmless dye, release them back into the hive, and then recapture another sample later. By counting the number of marked bees in the second sample and using the mark-recapture formula, they can estimate the total number of bees in the hive.
3. Importance: Population sampling methods like mark-recapture are essential for understanding population dynamics, distribution patterns, and making informed conservation and management decisions for species in their natural habitats.
In conclusion, when a biologist employs the mark-recapture method to estimate the population of honey bees in a hive, they are using the ecological study method of Population Sampling.
