Browsing by Author "Isaksson, Daniel"

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Predation and shorebirds: predation management, habitat effects and public opinions
(2009-01-09T09:35:38Z) Isaksson, Daniel
Many shorebird populations are rapidly declining and a high nest predation rate is one of the threats facing these populations. Thus, factors that affect predation and how to manage it in an effective way are receiving increased attention. This thesis deals with nest predation in two ground-nesting shorebirds (waders): the Northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus, and the redshank Tringa totanus nesting in coastal pastures. I study how habitat structures affect nest predation and distribution. I also test the effectiveness of two non-lethal methods for managing predation, and survey public attitudes towards predator control and animal conservation. Predators that hunt by sight often search for prey from elevated perches, such as trees, stone walls and fences. Theory suggests that prey visibility depends strongly on predator perch height and distance. I estimated how prey (a mounted bird) visibility depends on predator perch height, distance and vegetation height in coastal pastures. Visibility increases strongly with observer perch height and proximity. For example, from the lowest perch (0.2 m), visibility of the target bird declines to < 5% beyond 20 m distance, but 40% of it remains visible from the highest perch (8 m), even as far as 120 m. The strong increase of prey visibility with predator search height suggests that the removal of predator perches can improve the survival of endangered prey populations in open habitats. Predators such as the hooded crow Corvus cornix use raised structures for perching and to elude lapwing attacks. I find that crows spent more time at or near raised structures than expected and that wader nests were placed farther away from these structures than expected in two out of three years. Waders thus tend to avoid breeding close to raised structures, which therefore reduces the suitable breeding area and probably also the local wader population size. Habitat management is just one technique for reducing nest predation, and apart from lethal predator control, there are several non-lethal methods. I tested the effect of nest exclosures to protect individual wader nests from predation. Protected nests had a higher hatching success than unprotected nests. Protected redshanks suffered increased predation on incubating adults, which often sit on the nest until a predator is close by. These results emphasize the need for caution in the use of nest exclosures, particularly in redshanks and other species with similar incubation behaviours. Exclosures can, however, be a useful management tool in shorebirds that leave their nests early, when an approaching predator is still far away. I also tested predator avoidance of wader eggs by placing mimic eggs injected with an illness-producing substance in artificial nests. Compared to control areas, the daily survival rate was higher for wader nests during the first three weeks in areas with aversive eggs, but there was no difference for the nesting season as a whole. Egg predation by foxes and other nocturnal mammals may have masked a greater aversion effect in avian predators. I suggest that the dose of the illness-producing substance should be increased and the aversion-learning period prolonged in future tests of this potentially useful technique. Predation management sometimes includes lethal predator control, which can be controversial, and knowledge of public attitudes is essential for successful conservation measures. Using a mail survey sent to a representative sample of the Swedish public (1 751 replies) I found that there is support for protecting threatened animals. Although the support for a general control of animals was low, a majority supported several specific reasons for control, including control of animals that pose a risk to threatened species or to traffic. The support for control varied depending on species, being the lowest for raptors and the highest for mice and rats. A majority did not support the use of more costly non-lethal control in place of lethal methods, but urban residents and animal rights supporters were more positive than the others. I conclude that available perches can have significant effects on prey detection and distribution of wader nests. It is possible to reduce nest predation in some shorebird species using non-lethal techniques such as nest exclosures. When using lethal predator control, I suggest that information about the reasons for control as well as the species involved is highly important, especially as in regard lethal control in urban regions.
Scenario Planning Analysis of Subscriptions in the Automotive industry - Future impact on profitability and loyalty
(2022-08-05) Isaksson, Daniel; Hallin, Elof; University of Gothenburg/Graduate School; Göteborgs universitet/Graduate School
The automotive industry is facing an ongoing transformation on many levels and the common denominator is the road to sustainability and zero greenhouse gas emissions. This has led to the developments of new drivetrains and the need for new business models has emerged. To be able to meet the requirements and challenges presented by the development of sustainable cars and usage of cars. This has introduced an openness to new ideas and innovations regarding business models and commercial operations. This change has led to a discussion of mobility rather than car ownership. This fundamental change has developed a discussion and an early attempt to sell cars through a subscription model and turn the commercial operations towards a more service-oriented business rather than wholesale. This research investigates the outlook of the subscription model for OEMs in the automotive industry and emphasizes how these different futures will impact both the loyalty as well as the profitability aspects of an OEM. The research investigates and identifies the factors to consider when evaluating the next coming ten years for the subscription model and what aspects will have a larger impact on the different outcomes. These factors are identified through qualitative interviews with experts and people involved in the development of the subscription model in the automotive industry. These factors are then used to generate potential future scenarios and the identified major uncertainties will be bundled together to create two dimensions that are flexibility and customer engagement. These two dimensions are then used in a scenario matrix to generate four potential future scenarios of the subscription model in the automotive industry. The four scenarios are the following: Love to compete, Rise and shine subscription, The good old days, and steady subscription. With the knowledge of these four scenarios, different strategic actions are identified as well as a core strategy to face the uncertain future of the subscription model and recommendations on how to navigate this unknown future. This knowledge is then used to present future impact on profitability as well as loyalty and how it will affect the future of the OEM. The research concludes that the OEM has to consider the large changes organizational-wise as a core focus and that either scenario that plays out the customer-centric approach as well as the online journey will have a large impact on the business and is well anchored within customer trends and demands. This will result in fundamental changes in profitability as well as how to meet and work with loyalty depending on what scenario that evolves. Therefore, is the aspect of being agile and prepared for different futures highly recommended and being able to adapt efficiently.