Malawi's Ecology

At the southern end of the Rift Valley, Lake Malawi glitters, a sapphire beneath the African sky. And when it comes to natural value, it is no exaggeration to compare this body of water to a precious gem for it is the most biodiverse fresh water lake in the world. Its waters are also important for they nourish the surrounding human and wildlife communities in Malawi’s arid landscapes.

Rhino, leopards, and African buffalo are found here, but their populations have diminished as a consequence of a fragmented landscape given over to agriculture, both subsistence and industrial. Climate change also threatens to upend the delicate balance of nature that sustains Malawi’s human populations. Increasing grassroots support for nature in Malawi and linking this to strong commitments by the international community will help to restore nature in this country.