Population Estimates: Bringing Math and Science Together

Population Estimates: Bringing Math and Science Together

During this activity students will learn how to estimate population size using two techniques, density extrapolation and the mark-recapture method.

Context for Use

Project EXTREMES lessons were written to be stand alone lessons but can be incorporated into a larger unit.

Flock of birds landing at Elkhorn Slough where there is green moss over black sand and blue water in the background.

Flock of birds landing at Elkhorn Slough. Photo credit: dondj2

Goals Header
What Students Will Do

  • Students will apply two techniques, density extrapolation and mark and recapture, to estimate the size of populations.
  • Students will identify the assumptions made when estimating the size of a population.

Materials

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Description

  • Part 1 – Engage (5 minutes) What is population and why is it important?

Students define the term “population” and discuss reasons why knowing population size is important.

  • Part 2 – Explore (15 minutes) Average Population Density 

Students estimate a population size using the population density method.

  • Part 3 – Explore and elaborate (40 minutes) The Mark-Recapture Method 

Students estimate a population size using the mark-recapture method.

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