Abuses of Mathematical Techniques in Ecology: Applications of Jolly's Capture-Recapture Method

As an example of the usage of mathematical techniques in ecology, papers citing Jolly's (1965) capture-recapture method have been examined. In most cases, those using the method failed to justify its usage by reference to the assumptions it makes; they drew conclusions from estimates with little or no reference to the confidence that could be placed in those estimates; and they had insufficient data for their avowed purpose. In many cases, no use was made of one of the method's major advantages: the ability to monitor dayto-day changes in population size and survival-rate. The seriousness of these shortcomings is discussed, along with potential alternatives.