Mongabay · Climate & nature

Floating Weeds Disrupt Livelihoods at Malawi's Chia Lagoon

A significant accumulation of floating weeds is severely impacting farming and fishing activities at Chia Lagoon, Malawi's largest lagoon, by blocking waterways and access to essential resources.

Farmers report that fields, which normally absorb seasonal water, are now submerged, hindering maize and rice production. Fishers are also finding it difficult to reach their usual fishing grounds due to the weed blockages, disrupting their access to livelihoods.

The weeds and debris began accumulating in February at the lagoon's outlet to Lake Malawi, causing water to back up and flood agricultural land. This phenomenon is unprecedented for the local communities.

Chia Lagoon, a 1,700-hectare area recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area, supports over 7,800 households through farming and fishing. The wider river network benefits more than 55,000 agriculturalists.

Scientists are investigating the cause of the weed accumulation. Researchers have experienced difficulties accessing the lagoon for studies due to the same issue.

Potential contributing factors identified include severe deforestation, agricultural expansion, and settlement growth in the surrounding landscape, leading to increased silt entering the lagoon.

One theory suggests that degraded catchment areas may have caused floodwaters to flow with greater force, uprooting plants and contributing to the large mass of weeds observed.

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