Work

Evaluating resilience of local communities in Malawi to invasive plants under hypothetical management scenarios

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Invasive species pose a significant global threat to ecosystems, biodiversity and livelihoods, yet community-level management strategies remain understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, limited empirical evidence exists on how community adaptive capacity and underlying community capitals shape local preferences for invasive plant management, and this study aims to quantify these preferences and identify locally supported management pathways. The analysis focuses on local communities in Mhuju and Ntchenachena, two areas adjacent to Nyika National Park, Malawi. Using a community capital framework lens and a stated preference choice experiment, we elicited households’ preferences over candidate management actions and factors shaping those preferences. Preferences were estimated and scenario analysis conducted to identify policy relevant intervention bundles. Communities consistently favoured awareness campaigns, integration into school curricula, community-led control, livelihood diversification, collaboration with local authorities, and incorporation into agricultural extension services. Heterogeneity in preferences was associated with age, education, prior awareness of invasion impacts, participation in environmental committees, and place of residence. Four management pathways emerged from the hypothetical scenarios, educational and outreach initiatives, community-led management, increased government funding and resourcing, and integrated packages combining outreach, local leadership and service delivery. These pathways provide a locally grounded basis for strengthening communities’ resilience to plant invasion. We recommend embedding invasive plant management within local school curriculum and routine extension services, coupled with community-led actions and complementary livelihood options to enhance adaptation capacity and long-term effectiveness of control.

Source: Biological Invasions

DOI: 10.1007/s10530-026-03796-5

Authors: Blessings Isaac Kanyangale, Van Viet Nguyen, Atupele George Msongole, Griffin Msefula, Chun-Hung Lee

Institutions: National Dong Hwa University, Malawi Government, Vietnam National University of Forestry

Language: English

Topic: Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,690