#### 3996.48A herpetologist studying endangered frogs in Borneo captures and tags 40 individuals from a population. The next month, she captures 60 frogs, 15 of which are tagged. Using the Lincoln-Petersen estimator, estimate the total frog population in the area, assuming the population remains constant and the sampling is random.

Sat, 02 May 2026 18:42:54 +0000

**An Hidden Population in the Rainforest: Why Biologists Count Frogs the Hard Way** Every year, scientists across the globe chase small but vital clues that reveal the hidden health of ecosystems. In Borneo’s lush rainforests, one researcher’s quiet effort to protect endangered frogs is stirring quiet interest—not for drama, but for data. A recent study tracked 40 tagged individuals during initial surveys, then captured 60 frogs a month later, finding 15 previously tagged. Beyond the field, this simple sampling opens a window into broader conservation science, answered by a method called the Lincoln-Petersen estimator. This approach helps estimate total populations when numbers stay steady—opening a deeper conversation about species decline and human impact. **Why #### 3996.48A frogs matter in the conversation** Growing awareness of biodiversity loss has placed fine-scale ecological research in the spotlight. Every amphibian species, especially endangered ones like those in Borneo’s wet forests, acts as a barometer of ecosystem integrity. When a scientific team uses systematic capture and recapture, it isn’t just tracking frogs—it’s revealing broader environmental trends. With rising concern over climate change, habitat destruction, and shifting rainfall patterns, reliable data on population size shapes conservation urgency. In the U.S., interest in wildlife stewardship is rising, driven in part by growing environmental literacy and public engagement with global conservation stories. This research underscores how careful science fuels actionable understanding—even in distant rainforests.