IB ESS SL 2.1.17 Capture Mark Release Recapture Questions
Practise IB ESS SL 2.1.17 by applying capture-mark-release-recapture, the Lincoln index and reliability checks to mobile populations.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- describe capture, harmless marking, release, mixing and recapture to estimate a mobile population
- apply the Lincoln index Population = (M × N) / R to estimate abundance from samples
- choose capture-recapture, aerial or visual counts and extrapolation for organism mobility and study conditions
- evaluate reliability using durable marks, representative capture, mixing time, trials, trap response and movement
- use abundance estimates to calculate population change or natural income over a defined period
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IB ESS SL 2.1.17 Capture Mark Release Recapture Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 4]
Outline how the abundance of a motile species in an ecosystem can be measured.
abundance of motile organisms can be measured using direct and/or indirect methods;
b. numbers can be counted from aerial images/ satellite images/trigger cameras over a representative area
c. overall population numbers can be calculated from extrapolation to whole area;
d. mark recapture techniques can be used to sample populations / description of Lincoln Index method/equation;
e. method of capture e.g. pitfall trap/live trap/collection of species
f. method of marking with appropriate tag that doesn't affect survival;
g. appropriate time interval between release and recapture
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