What does the Lincoln index estimate in animal populations?

The Lincoln index is specifically designed to estimate the size of animal populations using a method known as mark-recapture. In this technique, a certain number of individuals from a population are captured, marked, and then released back into their habitat. After a period, another sample of the population is captured, and the number of marked individuals within this sample is recorded. By applying the Lincoln index formula, researchers can make an estimate of the total population size based on the proportion of marked to unmarked individuals observed.

This method is particularly useful for understanding population dynamics, monitoring wildlife populations, and informing management strategies. It factors in the ability to estimate populations without the need to count every individual directly, which is often impractical, especially in larger or more elusive species.