The Jolly-Seber model is a statistical method used in population ecology to estimate the size and abundance of a population over time. It is based on the capture-recapture technique, where individuals are captured, marked, and released back into the population, and then recaptured at a later time to estimate the population size.

One example of the Jolly-Seber model in action is in the study of a population of songbirds in a forest. Researchers capture a sample of birds, mark them with unique identifiers, and release them back into the population. They then conduct several recapture surveys over the course of a year to track the movement and survival of the marked birds. Using the data from the recapture surveys, the Jolly-Seber model is used to estimate the population size and abundance of the songbirds in the forest.

Another example of the Jolly-Seber model is in the study of a population of fish in a lake. Researchers capture a sample of fish, mark them with tags, and release them back into the population. They then conduct several recapture surveys over the course of a year to track the movement and survival of the marked fish. The Jolly-Seber model is used to estimate the population size and abundance of the fish in the lake, as well as to identify any factors that may be impacting their survival and reproduction.

The Jolly-Seber model is useful in population ecology because it allows researchers to accurately estimate population size and abundance without the need for costly and time-consuming census techniques. It also provides insight into the dynamics of a population, such as survival rates and movement patterns, which can help inform conservation and management efforts.