Guide to the Naturalized and Invasive Plants of Malawi

By: Arne Witt and Dr Jamestone Kamwendo and Dr Elizabeth Mwafongo

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Synopsis: Malawi is rich in wildlife and plant species, including lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo. Home to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Lake Malawi, the fifth largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, home to more species of fish than any other lake, including at least 700 species of cichlids. The myriad of native species present in Malawi is threatened by, among others, the uncontrolled spread of invasive alien species (IAS) which are also eroding the natural resource base on which millions of people depend. One of the major barriers to effective IAS management is the lack of information on the presence, distribution, impact and management of invasive species. This Field Guide has been developed to help address this issue as one of the outputs of the UNEP-GEF Project "Enhancing sustainability of Protected Area systems in Malawi, and stabilizing agro-production in adjoining areas through improved IAS management." Only those invasive alien plant species that we consider to be threatening, or have the potential to threaten biodiversity and livestock production have been included.