Key drivers of LULCC in co-managed and government-managed forest reserves in Malawi (1999-2018)

Interventions through co-management (CM) and government-management (GM) for forest reserves can mitigate degradation and deforestation. Few studies have investigated the driving forces of Land Use/Cover Change (LULCC) using Remote sensing and socioeconomic data to assess the impact of management strategies on woodlands. This study investigated factors influencing LULCC in two co-managed and two government-managed forest reserves (FR) between 1999 and 2018 in Malawi. Images from the Environment for Analysing Images and data from respondents representing 30% of the communities surrounding four FR were analysed in SPSS. Woodland loss to grassland, agriculture was observed in Liwonde CM, Kaning'ina and Thambani GM FR. Communities' perceptions confirmed woodland conversion. Population increases and poverty exacerbated agriculture and wood energy use. Up-scaling CM requires improved empowerment processes and capacity building. There is a need to curb corruption, monitor licensing, and develop forest plans and law enforcement in GM FR. Promoting geospatial and socioeconomic analysis tools will enhance forest monitoring.

Automated summary

Interventions through co-management and government-management can mitigate degradation and deforestation in forest reserves. This study investigated the driving forces of Land Use/Cover Change using remote sensing and socioeconomic data in Malawi, and found that population increases and poverty exacerbated agriculture and wood energy use.