Estimating mortality rates when $n_t=0$

20 Views Asked by At

I am using a series of observations to calculate mortality rates:

$m=1-(n_t/n_0)^{1/t}$

$n_0$ number of individuals in the first observation

$n_t$ number of individuals at time $t$

I am comparing mortality rates for among different species of plants. I have the information of $n_0$ and $t$ when $n_t = 0$. Therefore for all species $m$ will be $1$ using the available information.

However, I know that mortality rates are not the same among the species, because for each species I have a different $t$ where $n_t = 0$.

Do you have any suggestions on how to estimate $m$ using this data?

Many thanks!