I think the type of weed community (species compositon) and amount of weeds complicate the fishery and how many pounds of fish per acre that the BOW can support (carrying capacity, standing crop, harvest, mortality, etc) and the size structure of the fishes present. The more diverse the habitat, the more complex the food web becomes, both leading more and more to "It all depends", and trending towards fewer absolutes. A lot of the previous fisheries research regarding carrying capacity and population dynamics have been in larger habitat complex systems or in weed free smaller ponds. As far as I know, not a lot of research has been done with numerous species in smaller weedy habitats 20 ac or less. Ewest, with his literature access, may be able to add some info on this topic.
Above comments by Shorty regarding how in his experiences the fishery will significantly change when the weed community is heavily impacted, suggests the weeds play a big role how a fishery functions as far as size structure, numbers, standing crop, and the productivity of the pond.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 11/27/12 10:07 AM.
