Fingerponds

Fingerponds can be distinctively separated into two types: typical lake-floodplain Fingerponds and those fed also with inflowing rivers in this case referred to as river floodplain Fingerponds. A dynamic model was used to simulate fish growth in these ponds. The model was able to capture the dynamics of hydrology, nutrients and fish in the two types of Fingerponds, demonstrating that similar fundamental processes underlie fish production in these systems. Model fish yields of up to 2S00 kg ha"1 and water quality predictions were comparable to field measurements. Using the model, nitrogen budgets for Fingerponds were calculated and quantitative estimates of all process flows were given. The model though preliminary once subjected to sensitivity analysis and validation can be used as a management tool. Main knowledge gaps pertain to light limitation of primary productivity and the food selectivity of tilapia and their fingerlings. In its current state, the model is a research tool that identifies knowledge gaps and can be applied to frame hypotheses for further applied research. Ultimately, the model can contribute to improving the management of Fingerponds.