Why Do Ecologists Count Representative Samples of a Population and Not

Multiple Choice

Why do ecologists count representative samples of a population and not the total population under study?

A) to get a precise number
B) because it is impractical to count all the members of the population
C) because it is the way that ecologists study ecosystems
D) to get an estimate before counting the whole population
E) because a representative sample more accurately reflects the carrying capacity