Estimating population size from capture-recapture studies via sample coverage and estimating functions

Abstract

This paper presents a method of inference for the population size in a capture-recapture experiment in continuous time. A class of estimators for the population size is generated by a martingale estimating function with the notion of sample coverage. It includes the existing estimators suggested by Yip ([26], [27]) and Becker and Heyde [3] for model Mt which allows the capture intensities to vary with time. Also, it gives a new estimator for model Mth which allows heterogeneous capture intensities varying with time as well. Optimal estimators of population size for each model are discussed. A simulation study is used to assess the performance of the proposed procedure. Copyright © 1996 by Marcel Dekker, Inc.