Managing protected woodlands: Fuelwood collection and law enforcement in Lake Malawi National Park

We examined the decisions women make in their collection of fuelwood within a protected area in Malawi. We used law enforcement data and behavioral ob servations of fuelwood harvesting practices to examine the risk of detectio n and penalties posed by law enforcement activities. Our results indicate t hat, at their current levels, law enforcement patrols have little effect on wood collection practices. The low risk of detection and light penalties a ppear to favor illegal wood collection, which is practiced by the majority of women. Alternative strategies should be pursued to enhance the conservat ion of the woodland and its management as a fuelwood resource for local com munities.