Why might researchers underestimate a population during a Mark Recapture study?

In a Mark Recapture study, the duration of the study is crucial for obtaining reliable data on population estimates. If the study duration is too short, there may not be enough time for marked individuals to mix back into the population adequately before the recapture phase occurs. This can lead to an underestimation of the population size because there might be a higher likelihood of capturing marked individuals who were recently marked, rather than accounting for the entire population, including those that were marked earlier and have since spread out. A longer study duration allows for better mixing and a more accurate reflection of the population as a whole.

The complexity of the marking process, limitations in data collection tools, and the issue of overcrowding can affect the efficiency or accuracy of the study, but they do not directly relate to the timing aspect that influences population estimates as significantly as study duration does.