Final answer:
To estimate the population of maple trees in a forest, the mark and recapture method or quadrat sampling can be employed. Mark and recapture involves tagging and recapturing trees to estimate population, while quadrat sampling counts individuals in marked areas to gauge overall population density.
Step-by-step explanation:
To estimate the population of maple trees in a forest, one might use the mark and recapture method or quadrat sampling. The mark and recapture method involves tagging a sample of individuals and then calculating the total population size based on the proportion of marked to unmarked individuals in a subsequent sample. For example, if 80 maple trees are marked and later 100 trees are surveyed with 20 being previously marked, the population size (N) can be estimated using the equation (80 x 100) / 20, giving an estimated population size of 400 maple trees.
Alternatively, quadrat sampling is used for immobile organisms like plants. A quadrat is a marked off square area within a habitat. Researchers count the number of individuals within the quadrat boundaries at random locations to estimate the population size and density. The size and number of quadrats used depend on factors like the type and density of the organism being studied.