(1) The effects of Pinus patula plantations on the populations of small terrestrial mammals were investigated on Zomba Plateau in Malawi, central Africa. Twelve study areas were live-trapped for seventy-five trap-nights each; nine were pine plantations (ages 1-32 years), one was a cypress plantation, and two were natural habitats. (2) A total of 113 small mammals representing eight species was captured; six species were rodents (Lophuromys fiavopunctatus, Mus triton, Otornys angoniensis, Praaomvs delectorum, Thamnomys dolichurus, Rattus rattus), and two were shrews (Crocidura luna, Crocidurafiavescens). The numbers of species and individuals varied considerably between the study areas, but only Lophuromysfiavopunctatus, Mus triton, Otomys angoniensis and the two species of Crocidura were found in the plantations. Other species, known from the montane grasslands on the plateau, were not present in the plantations. (3) Several habitat characteristics, which changed in relation to the age of the plantation, were measured, and correlations were sought between these characteristics and the numbers of small mammals. Numbers declined with decreasing number of trees per ha, increasing tree height, increasing height of the lowest branches, and increasing amount of pine-needle litter. Each species of small mammal responded in a different way to these agerelated changes. (4) The two natural habitats, a Mulanje cedar (Widdringtonia nodifora) forest and a secondary tangle, supported more individuals (36 5 per 100 trap-nights) than any of the pine plantations (7 2 per 100 trap-nights, range 0-14 per 100 trap-nights). (5) Lophuromys fiavopunctatus, Mus triton, and Crocidura tuna had wide habitat breadths and were able to adjust to the changing conditions associated with the plantations. In contrast, Praomys delectorurm, Thanmnomys dolichurus and Otomnys angoniensis were unable to adapt. (6) Four published reports on the responses of small mammals to coniferous plantations were compared with the present study. The principal responses, regardless of species or locality, were (a) an increase in numbers after clear-felling, (b) a decline in numbers and species diversity with increasing age of the plantation, (c) maintenance of numbers by some species in localities where coniferous trees were indigenous, and (d) local extinction of some species when the plantation was established. (7) Zomba Plateau and the adjacent Malosa Mountain are one of a series of isolated montane habitats which extend from north to south in Malawi, and consequently the montane mammals on Zomba-Malosa are isolated from other such communities. The establishment of pine plantations destroys the natural habitats and communities and, therefore, it is important to conserve the remnants of natural habitats on the Plateau, and all of Malosa Mountain.