Bryan; According to Mr. Lusks book "Raising Trophy Bass" alkilinity is a reflection of whether fertilization will work. This is discussed elsewhere on the website but basically if your alkilinity isn't at least 20 parts per million, the fertilizer won't do any good. If your water is infertile, the microorganisms at the bottom of the food chain won't make it and if they don't do well, the 'bugs' that feed on them don't live and so on up the food chain until you get undernourished and stunted predators. Buy Lusks book; look at Chapter 4 and you will understand the balance you are seeking.
He puts it about as well as I've seen. Also, look at other stuff regarding this topic on the web site.