DeGray Lake site of UAPB effort to restore aquatic ecosystems – Daily News in Arkadelphia, Arkansas

Efforts to Restore Aquatic Ecosystems in DeGray Lake

An effort to reestablish aquatic vegetation in DeGray Lake is yielding positive results, according to Scott Jones, small impoundment Extension specialist for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). This project, which began in 2019, is a collaborative effort between UAPB, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The restoration project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting ecological integrity and supporting healthy populations of recreationally-important fish species.

Background

DeGray Lake was once known for its strong black bass fishery and abundant aquatic plant community. However, by 2010, various factors including human activities and weather conditions led to the near complete loss of submersed aquatic plants in the lake. The decline in the black bass fishery prompted regular requests for intervention from AGFC.

Restoration Efforts

The primary goal of the restoration project was to reestablish native aquatic plants in DeGray Lake to enhance its overall ecological integrity and promote healthy populations of fish species. Native aquatic plants such as coontail, American pondweed, and eelgrass were grown in greenhouses at DeGray Lake and then transported by boat to floating vegetation dispersion cages attached to navigation buoys across the lake. These floating cages effectively disperse plants regardless of weather conditions and allow for the growth of new colonies.

Monitoring and Results

Over the past three years, Scott Jones has been mapping and monitoring aquatic plant growth across 550 acres at 21 sites using sonar imaging. The presence of vegetation detected by sonar was later verified using a remote-controlled submersible drone. The main focus of the restoration program, coontail, has expanded significantly in DeGray Lake. It is now found in 13 out of 21 sites and has formed surface mats up to 18 feet deep in some locations. Additionally, eight out of 16 vegetation dispersion cages have coontail growing directly underneath them, indicating the successful formation of new colonies.

Impact and Future Plans

The increase in submerged aquatic plants is expected to enhance the abundance of microbes, invertebrate and vertebrate primary consumers, and secondary predators such as black bass and crappie. This, in turn, can improve the overall condition of the fishery and provide anglers with more defined areas for fishing, potentially increasing catch rates. Furthermore, promoting the spread of native aquatic plants can help slow the spread of non-native plant species. The next phase of the project involves applying the lessons learned from DeGray Lake to other reservoirs that lack a history of coontail growth.

Contact Information

For more information on this and similar UAPB aquaculture/fisheries projects, please contact Scott Jones at joness@uapb.edu.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article discusses the reestablishment of aquatic vegetation in DeGray Lake, which is aimed at enhancing the overall ecological integrity and promoting healthy populations of fish species.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – The restoration of aquatic ecosystems in DeGray Lake contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans – The project aims to reestablish native aquatic plants in DeGray Lake to enhance its overall ecological integrity and promote healthy populations of fish species.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements – The project focuses on restoring aquatic ecosystems in DeGray Lake through the reestablishment of native aquatic plants.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Growth and distribution of native aquatic plants – The article mentions the mapping and monitoring of aquatic plant growth across 550 acres at 21 sites using sonar and a remote-controlled submersible drone. This can be used as an indicator to measure the progress of reestablishing aquatic vegetation in DeGray Lake.
• Abundance of fish species – The article suggests that the increase in submerged aquatic plants should increase the abundance of primary consumers, such as baitfish, crawfish, and snails, which in turn should increase the population and/or condition of secondary predators like black basses and crappie. Monitoring the abundance and condition of these fish species can be used as an indicator of the success of the project.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: arkadelphian.com

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