Final answer:
The mark and recapture method can be used to estimate the population of lizards in a certain region. By capturing and marking a sample of lizards, and later counting the number of marked lizards in a new sample, we can estimate the population size.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mark and recapture method can be used to estimate the population of lizards in a certain region. In this method, a sample of lizards is captured and marked, then released back into the environment.
Later, a new sample is captured, and the number of marked lizards in the new sample is counted. By using the ratio of marked and unmarked lizards, we can estimate the total population size.
For example, if 36 lizards are initially trapped and marked, and later 200 lizards are caught with 16 of them being marked, we can estimate the lizard population using the formula:
[marked in first sample] x [total in second sample] / [marked in second sample] = estimated population]
So, in this case, the estimated population would be:
[36 x 200] / 16 = 450 lizards
Therefore, the best possible estimate for the lizard population is 450 lizards.