Estimating population size via sample coverage for closed capture-recapture models.

A nonparametric estimation technique is proposed which uses the concept of sample coverage in order to estimate the size of a closed population for capture-recapture models where time, behavior, or heterogeneity may affect the capture probabilities. The technique also provides a unified approach to catch-effort models that allows for heterogeneity among removal probabilities. Real data examples are given for illustration. A simulation study investigates the behavior of the proposed procedure.