PROTECTING Uapaca kirkiana IN MALAWI'S FOREST RESERVES
POLICY BRIEF Protecting Uapaca kirkiana in Northern Malawi’s Forest Reserves Evidence from a comparative demographic assessment of Perekezi and Kaning’ina Forest Reserves reveals divergent regeneration trajectories and points to urgent, site-specific management action. Based on: Nduw, B.O., Mhango, J. & Ngulube, E. (2026). Population Structure, Regeneration Status, and Health Condition of Uapaca kirkiana (Phyllanthaceae) in Perekezi and Kaning’ina Forest Reserves, Northern Malawi. Feddes Repertorium , 137, no. 3:e70141. https://doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70141 . Why this matters Uapaca kirkiana (“masuku” or wild loquat) is a keystone miombo woodland tree that underpins rural food security, income, and ecosystem services across Malawi and neighbouring countries, while also contributing to soil stabilisation and carbon sequestration. Miombo woodlands are losing forest cover faster than almost any other biome in sub-Saharan Africa, yet demographic evidence on...