Mercer University installs fish habitats to improve ecological balance at Macon lake
Craig Byron, a Mercer biology professor, said prior research at the lake showed an overpopulation of predator species, which has caused declines in lower-level predator populations and largemouth bass.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Mercer University faculty and students teamed up with the Macon Water Authority Monday to install fish habitats aimed at improving the ecological balance of a local lake.
Craig Byron, a Mercer biology professor, said prior research at the lake showed an overpopulation of predator species, which has caused declines in lower-level predator populations and largemouth bass.
“I was brought into this project two years ago by the Macon Water Authority, looking for a biologist to collaborate with them to study the various bass species that are in the lake and try to help understand the hunch people might have about largemouth bass population not being as strong as a result of the spotted bass and the strike bass population,” Byron said.
Adaline Buerck, assistant professor in Mercer’s civil and environmental engineering program, said the fish habitats mainly benefit minnows and crayfish.
“It’s so they have a place to breathe and hide from some of those bigger fish, and hopefully repopulate. That way the lake doesn’t die off and can bring more fishing in and bring the lake back to life a little,” Buerck said.
Byron and his team studied many largemouth and spotted bass.
“And our data indicated that some measure of health, like mass or body length and some organ masses, seem to put them in a different space. Some suggest that largemouth bass are being outcompeted by the spotted bass,” Byron said.
Buerck explained the reason behind the project.
“We want to make sure the lake stays habited and keeps the ecosystem, or else it’s just going to slowly degrade. And we want to make sure we’re keeping it up and not just for the water authority, but for sports fishing and different things in the area,” Buerck said.
Byron said they hope the work will create additional habitat successful for largemouth bass, while being mindful of its effects on spotted bass.
“But you don’t know where it’s going to lead to until you start studying it, so we’re going to be getting the structures into the water this week and then it will be a long-term project where we’re sampling from these structures to see how things will change through time,” Byron said.
This effort represents an ongoing partnership between Mercer University and the Macon Water Authority that blends environmental research, youth education and community collaboration.
Byron said the initiative combines environmental research, student involvement and water stewardship, all taking place at one of the community’s vital drinking water reservoirs.
