The Ecology of the Fish Pond Ecosystem

An understanding of the ecology of a fish pond is essential for the achievement of steady and high fish production in ponds. For the ecologist, the fish pond is a small laboratory: easy to investigate and responding rapidly to manipulation. For the aquaculturist, the ecology shows the ways and means of interventions ensuring an increase of production. This book deals with the different aspects of natural production within a pond, referring it to African conditions: considering first the role of soil as source and sink of nutrients for the water, then nutrient cycling within water and the fate of fertilizers added to ponds, and finally the contribution of natural productivity to fish production. The information brought together in this volume should be valuable for both aquaculturist and ecologist, who lack a handbook on the ecology of a fish pond. It should also be of interest to African aquaculturists and stimulate aquaculture research on natural production.