Question

Describe how a researcher would determine the size of a penguin population in Antarctica using the mark and release method.

Short answer

The mark and release method allows to determine the population growth rate by tagging and releasing of penguins followed by their recapture.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Introduction

The mark and release method is used to determine the size of the population when counting each individual is impossible. The basic concept is to capture a small group or organisms and tag them with a harmless mark and then release them back into the population. It is then followed by a recapture to count the increase in the population of that particular organism.

Step 2. Explanation

The researcher would tag a group of penguins and then release them back into the population. Then, after a certain period of time, recapture those penguins to see what proportion had been tagged. The size of the penguin population can be estimated using this percentage.