Forest restoration for biodiversity in Malawi

Thank you for joining this restoration journey at Mount Mulanje in Malawi. As well as restoring 24,000 ha of degraded forests and engaging the local community, one of the project’s goals is to support the incredible biodiversity of Mount Mulanje.

The structure and altitude of the mountain has led to a unique climate in the area that favours the development of rare and endemic life forms. Several of these species are classified by IUCN’s Red List as vulnerable, endangered or even critically endangered. The Mulanje Cedar tree (Widdringtonia whytei) is considered critically endangered, and the Mulanje Pygmy Chameleon (Rhampholeon platyceps), endemic to this specific forest reserve, is considered endangered. The Yellow-throated Apalis (Apalis flavigularis)is an endangered bird that can only be found in here and at one other neighbouring mountain, the Zomba plateau.

Thank you for your support in protecting these rare and vulnerable species! 

Thank you for joining us at the beginning of this restoration journey in Malawi! This project began in 2019 and we are delighted to share some of our goals and progress to date.

In 2019 firebreak trails have been constructed and maintained

Forest fires are one of the main threats to biodiversity conservation in Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve. Firebreak construction and maintenance has been found to be one of the main effective measures to slow or stop the spread of a low intensity bushfire. The Nakhonyo community is one of the communities involved in constructing and maintaining firebreaks on Chambe basin on the peak of Mulanje mountain where there are restoration efforts to plant and manage Mulanje cedar and other species. The community is paid for its efforts and so incentivised to be involved. They have managed to clear 99.47 km during the high fire risk months of July through to October. A total of 155 people were involved (116 men and 39 women).

In 2020, your support will contribute to:

Landscape Transformation

We aim to restore 90 ha each year of indigenous forest – equivalent to 108 football pitches.

Restoration techniques are assisted natural generation (ANR) and enrichment planting. In the montane forests, our team plants the endemic Mulanje Cedar, a species that is sensitive to disturbance and not able to generate quickly by itself. Pine trees are also actively planted in a buffer zone around the forest reserve, this provides a source of fuel wood and timber for the local communities to reduce their dependency on the indigenous trees in the forest reserve itself. The Miombo woodlands are restored through ANR – a technique that protects naturally emerging seedlings from disturbance - with up to 70 different tree species, such as the Uapaca and the Brachystegia. This dominant forest type can quickly regenerate.

Community Engagement

We purchase pine and cedar tree seedlings from local community nurseries, providing much needed cash income and employment for the communities around the forest reserve. The local communities are also involved in the planting of the trees as well as taking care of their survival in the long term. An education and environmental awareness program for schools will see ten schools raise and transplant seedlings that will eventually improve the school micro-climate, reduce soil erosion and improve soil organic matter and fertility. Some of the trees will be planted at home farms and will form part of agroforestry systems, making the farms more diverse, resilient, productive and sustainable, as well as producing additional benefits such as fodder for livestock. Around 500 grafted mango trees will provide an excellent source of nutrition for the children.

 Thank you! 

Links:

• https://www.weforest.org/project/malawi-mulanje