Since 2000, there has been a marked decline in the number of harbour seals in some regions around Britain; one possible contributing cause is competition for prey with sympatric grey seals. To explore one important aspect of this interaction, in this thesis the diet of harbour seals is estimated using analysis of hard prey remains recovered from faeces and compared with equivalent results for grey seals. To estimate coefficients to account for partial and complete digestion of hard prey remains, 100 whole prey feeding trials were conducted with six harbour seals and 18 prey species. Differences were found among prey species and between harbour and grey seals highlighting the importance of applying predator- and prey-specific digestion correction factors when reconstructing diet. In a comprehensive exploration of the diet of harbour seals around Britain, sandeel and flatfish dominated in the North Sea and large gadoids dominated on the Scottish west coast with seasonal pulses of pelagic prey. Variation in diet was linked to regional and seasonal differences in prey distribution and abundance. Sex-specific variation in harbour seal diet was examined in four regions. The main difference detected was in The Wash, where female diet quality was significantly higher than males in winter, which appeared to be driven by greater consumption of pelagic prey by female seals associated with seasonal energetic requirements of their annual life cycle. Comparison of the diet of harbour and grey seals revealed regional differences in diet composition, diversity and quality between the two species. However, there was no consistent pattern in this variation in relation to regional variation in harbour and grey seals population trajectories and no clear evidence for interspecific competition for prey. Future work should focus on an integrated investigation of prey abundance and distribution, and seal diet and foraging behaviour/distribution.

This thesis examines the interactions of two non-indigenous algae, Mazzaella japonica and Sargassum muticum, where they co-exist and their impacts on native species in their recipient habitats. Field and lab experiments were conducted to determine if they impact native seaweed communities, marine invertebrates, and supralittoral regions. In situ studies conducted in areas where Mazzaella japonica exists without Sargassum muticum found that removal of M. japonica allowed for an increase of native seaweed abundance and richness growing in fully subtidal regions, but had no detectable impact on native seaweeds growing in intertidal regions. Additionally, at the intertidal site, removal of M. japonica resulted in the recruitment of S. muticum. In regions where the two non-indigenous seaweeds co-exist, removal of both non-indigenous seaweeds negatively impacted native seaweeds. The magnitude of this negative impact was greater in subtidal compared to intertidal regions. M. japonica removal had a greater impact on native seaweed recovery than did S. muticum removal in areas of co-existence. Removal of Mazzaella japonica also allowed for a significant increase in percent cover of Sargassum muticum at both sites where these two seaweeds co-exist. An increase in percent cover of M. japonica was found at the subtidal site when S. muticum was removed. Though both species increased when reprieved from competition with the other non-indigenous species, removal of M. japonica had a far greater influence on the increase in cover of S. muticum. This suggests that M. japonica is the dominant competitor in the ecosystem outcompeting S. muticum. Field surveys found Mazzaella japonica was the dominant wrack species washing up on beaches in Baynes Sound. Though Sargassum muticum is also a component of the wrack, it has a disproportionately large influence as a spatial subsidy on beach habitats. S. muticum decayed and decomposed at a faster rate than M. japonica and all native seaweeds tested except for Chondracanthus exasperatus. Additionally, S. muticum was colonized by significantly more invertebrates than either M. japonica or Fucus spp. Results from these studies are intended to provide information for resource managers making policy decisions regarding the fate of these two non-indigenous species. / Graduate / 0329

No description available.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The object of this study was to do a comparative analysis of the competitiveness of the South African apple industry with the competitive ran kings published by Dr Desmond O'Rourke as a guideline. Firstly, the intention was to determine if South Africa's ranking is valid and representative, and secondly, to look at the scope for improvement. South Africa's best competitive performance is in the area of production. Although South Africa is performing well there is still scope for improvement by increasing productivity of orchards and quality of the crop. Input costs, labour and climate change are other big concerns. The biggest area for improvement however lies with the relationship between the South African apple industry and the South African government. Many of the changes in legislation and policy since 1994 have had a negative impact on the competitiveness of the South African apple industry. Government need to play an active role in supporting the apple industry through infrastructure, market access and financial support for industry initiatives like promotion and research. This can only be achieved if there is a partnership between the industry and government. The Department of Agriculture also need to be capacitated to perform their functions professionally and efficiently. In terms of market and demand the main concern is the dependence of the South African apple industry on the markets of Europe and the United Kingdom. These markets also have a decline in per capita consumption of apples. This, associated with increased consumer pressure in terms of food safety, environmental and ethical issues and the power of retailers, creates a need to get market access in new developing markets like India and China. The promotions of consumption of apples in the local market would also have a positive effect on profitability. In a world market where the production volume of South Africa is insignificant, the industry needs to do everything in its control to increase competitiveness. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om 'n vergelykende studie van die mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelindustrie te doen met die mededingendheidsranglys van Dr. Desmond O'Rourke as 'n riglyn. Eerstens was die oogmerk om te bepaal of hierdie ranglys verteenwoordigend is van die mededingendheid van Suid-Afrika, en tweedens om die ruimte en area vir verbetering te identifiseer. Suid-Afrika se beste area van kompeterende prestasie is produksie. Alhoewel Suid-Afrika goed vaar op hierdie gebied is daar nog steeds ruimte vir verbetering deur produktiwiteit van boorde en die kwaliteit van die oes te verhoog. Insetkoste, arbeid en klimaatsverandering is ook areas van bekommernis. Die grootste area vir verbetering is egter die verhouding tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse industrie en die regering. Baie van die veranderinge in wetgewing en beleid sedert 1994 het 'n negatiewe impak op die mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelindustrie gehad. Die regering moet 'n aktiewe rol speel om die appelindustrie te ondersteun t.o.v. die infrastruktuur, marktoegang, promosie en navorsing. Dit kan slegs bereik word as daar 'n vennootskap tussen die regering en industrie is. Die Departement van Landbou het ook die kapasiteit nodig om hulle taak professioneel en effektief te kan verrig. In terme van markte en vraag is die grootste bekommernis die afhanklikheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse industrie van die markte van Europa en die Verenigde Koninkryk. Hierdie markte toon 'n afname in per capita verbruik van appels. Dit tesame met die verbruikersdruk in terme van voedselveilighied, omgewing en etiese kwessies en die mag van die supermarkte skep die behoefte om marktoegang tot nuwe ontwikkelende markte soos Indie en China uit te brei. Die promosie van verbruik van appels in die plaaslike mark sal ook 'n positiewe effek op winsgewendheid he. In 'n wereldmark waar die produksievolume van Suid-Afrika nie noemenswaardig is nie, is dit van die uiterste belang dat die industrie alles in hul vermoe doen am mededingendheid te verhoog.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

This dissertation provides a cultural-cognitive perspective on the relationship between cooperation and competition within organizations. Instead of explicitly defining the relationship between cooperation and competition, I examine lay beliefs about the relationship and the impact of these beliefs on perceptions and behavior. This dissertation consists of two studies. In the first study, I examine the role of peoples’ categorization of competitive behaviors as cooperative or non-cooperative in teams. I assess the influence of dialectical reasoning, a culturally-shaped reasoning style, on the categorization of competitive behaviors and the reaction to competitive behaviors within teams. I test my predictions with a laboratory experiment with participants in the US and China. The analyses from this study reveal cultural differences in perceptual and behavioral reactions to competitive behaviors, with differences partially attributed to reasoning style and categorization. In the second study, I examine the role of people’s categorization of competitive behaviors as cooperative or non-cooperative in working relationships. I assess the influence of culture and categorization on people’s ego-centric network of working relationships. I test my predictions with a survey of working professionals in the US and China. The analyses from this study demonstrate that people who categorize certain competitive behaviors as cooperative are more likely to be more cooperative with people they are more competitive with instead of having exclusively cooperative or competitive relationships. The analyses also reveal national cultural differences in people’s networks of working relationships that are partially attributable to categorization of competitive behaviors. By empirically connecting culture and reasoning style to cooperative and competitive behavior in teams and working relationships, this research enhances our understanding of fundamental aspects of organizations, suggesting a new approach to examining the influence of societal factors in behavior within organizations. / text

published_or_final_version / Business / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy