Socio- economic dimensions and community behavior towards pinus patula spread in communities around mulanje mountain forest reserve and Misuku hills forest reserve, Malawi.

Abstract

Pinus patula is increasingly invading Malawi’s montane ecosystems, with Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve (MMFR) and Misuku Hills Forest Reserve (MHFR) showing notable spread into community lands. While pines were introduced for timber and livelihood support, their rapid expansion now threatens biodiversity, water resources, and arable land. This is creating socio-ecological trade-offs that remain poorly quantified in Malawi. This study addresses the research problem of limited empirical evidence on both the benefits and costs of P. patula invasion, and how community knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) shape management responses. The study aimed to characterize spatial distribution of P. patula, assess community KAP toward the species, and analyse socio-economic costs and benefits to local livelihoods. A mixed-methods design was used, including household surveys (n=175), FDG, spatial mapping using QGIS, and opportunity cost–analyses. Non-parametric statistics (Spearman correlations, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests at 5% significance) were used to analyse variable relationships. The findings revealed spontaneousness spread in Mulanje, while in Misuku it mostly persists in smallholder woodlots. Community awareness and attitudes were generally high in both sites, but improvement in practices was limited in Misuku, influenced by institutional and livelihood constraints. Economically, P. patula contributes income through timber, poles, and fuelwood; however, opportunity cost assessment indicated that diversified crops e.g., maize, coffee yield short term stable returns. The study concludes that P. patula is a classic “conflict-of-interest” invasive species providing socioeconomic benefits while simultaneously degrading ecological integrity and undermining biodiversity-based livelihoods. Therefore, effective management must integrate local social equity and ecological restoration measures. It is recommended that Malawi strengthens participatory invasive species management, promotes alternative livelihood options, and aligns local interventions with the National Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework commitments.