Approaches for the direct estimation of λ, and demographic contributions to λ, using capture-recapture data

We first consider the estimation of the finite rate of population increase or population growth rate, lambda(i), using capture-recapture data from open populations. We review estimation and modelling of lambda(i) under three main approaches to modelling open-population data: the classic approach of Jolly (1965) and Seber (1965), the super population approach of Crosbie & Manly (1985) and Schwarz & Arnason (1996), and the temporal symmetry approach of Pradel (1996). Next, we consider the contributions of different demographic components to lambda(i) using a probabilistic approach based on the composition of the population at time i + 1 (Nichols et al., 2000b). The parameters of interest are identical to the seniority parameters, gamma(i), of Pradel (1996). We review estimation of gamma(i) under the classic, superpopulation, and temporal symmetry approaches. We then compare these direct estimation approaches for lambda(i) and gamma(i) with analogues computed using projection matrix asymptotics. We also discuss various extensions of the estimation approaches to multistate applications and to joint likelihoods involving multiple data types.