Global Experiment Data Reports for Pond Dynamics and Aquaculture

Collaborative Research Data Report Series Through 1996, the Pond Dynamics/ Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program (PD/A CRSP) conducted a standardized global experiment at sites in seven countries: Egypt, Rwanda, Honduras, Panama, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Data were uploaded into a Central Data Base from these seven countries (see Global Experiment dataset in this dataverse). Data Reports covers the first three cycles from the original participating sites from 1982-1987: Indonesia, Philippines, Rwanda, Honduras, Gualaca Panama, and Aguadulce Panama. Data Reports reported on verified data from the PD/ A CRSP Central Data Base and presented interpretations of site specific results. Research results from experiments conducted after the first three cycles were not included in Data Reports. They were later published in various aquaculture journals or in the program's own PD/ A CRSP Research Report series: https://aquafishcrsp.oregonstate.edu/aquafish-nop The first of the Data Reports, General Reference: Volume I (first and second editions), provides descriptive information for each of the PD/A CRSP sites and serves as a guide for the entire Data Report series. Volume I presents the physical characteristics of each site, including a geographical sketch, climatology, and water and soil analyses. The second edition of Volume I provides additional information about the CRSP research sites, including several sites added to the program since the first edition of Volume I. Subsequent volumes of Data Reports focus on each of the original sites in the first three cycles separately. Each volume includes one cycle (wet and dry seasons) of the PD/A CRSP Global Experiment. Therefore, with few exceptions, each original project site has three volumes devoted to it, representing the results of the three cycles of the global experiment. The experimental cycles are described in PD/A CRSP Work Plans which are available as links from this dataset. EXCERPTED DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTS (for full descriptions, please refer to the related links) During the planning of the PD/A CRSP, researchers recognized the need to improve the existing data available on pond culture systems. The technical literature about pond aquaculture contained general operating guidelines; however, the lack of standardization in experimental design, data collection, and analysis precluded statistical comparison between studies or sites, and were of limited utility in predicting the performance of pond culture systems. The PD/A CRSP developed a standardized data base that could be used to evaluate pond performance over a broad range of environments. Experimental Design The statistical design for the first three cycles of the global experiments involves monitoring environmental and fish production variables at seven geographical locations. The different locations provided a spectrum of pond environments, in different climatic zones and geographies within 20 degrees of the equator. Observations specified in the annual work plans (experimental cycles) were made on twelve or more ponds at each location, except at Gualaca Panama where ten ponds were used. The pond variables observed, frequency of observation, materials and methods for determination, and standardized reporting units are presented in the Work Plans, and other reports available on the PD/A CRSP website. Observations at each location were recorded by the research team involved at that location, and data were filed and managed in a centralized CRSP Data Base at Oregon State University until the early 1990s, and then at both OSU and the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. CRSP Work Plans The PD/A CRSP technical work plans were developed by a research team composed of U.S. and host country Principal Investigators, and then reviewed by the PD/A CRSP Technical Committee. Each work plan presents detailed experimental protocols for one experimental cycle. A cycle involves two series of observations of four to five months duration. One set of observations was made during the dry season and the other during the wet season. Three work plans constitute the original series of the global experiment, and are tabulated in hard copy as Data Reports. The rationale included managing all ponds in exactly the same way to establish a detailed baseline of pond variables. Then in subsequent experiments, the pond environments were manipulated in different ways and the responses observed. First Cycle of the CRSP Global Experiment The first work plan was developed in 1983. This work plan specified standard methods for pond preparation and monitoring. All ponds were prepared in the same way, fish were stocked at the same levels, and specified variables were observed during both the wet and dry seasons. The sites of the research projects can be categorized as: brackish to marine tropical locations in Panama (Aquadulce) and the Philippines; warm, tropical, freshwater locations...