  We consider a simple conceptual question with respect to Majorana zero modes
in semiconductor nanowires: Can the measured non-ideal values of the
zero-bias-conductance-peak in the tunneling experiments be used as a
characteristic to predict the underlying topological nature of the proximity
induced nanowire superconductivity? In particular, we define and calculate the
topological visibility, which is a variation of the topological invariant
associated with the scattering matrix of the system as well as the
zero-bias-conductance-peak heights in the tunneling measurements, in the
presence of dissipative broadening, using realistic nanowire parameters to
connect the topological invariants with the zero bias tunneling conductance
values. This dissipative broadening is present in both (the existing) tunneling
measurements and also (any future) braiding experiments as an inevitable
consequence of a finite braiding time. The connection between the topological
visibility and the conductance allows us to obtain the visibility of realistic
braiding experiments in nanowires, and to conclude that the current
experimentally accessible systems with non-ideal zero bias conductance peaks
may indeed manifest (with rather low visibility) non-Abelian statistics for the
Majorana zero modes. In general, we find that large (small) superconducting gap
(Majorana peak splitting) is essential for the manifestation of the non-Abelian
braiding statistics, and in particular, a zero bias conductance value of around
half the ideal quantized Majorana value should be sufficient for the
manifestation of non-Abelian statistics in experimental nanowires.
