Riparian flora and fauna (emphasizing vertebrates) studies in the Hirmi dryland ecosystem, Tigray, Ethiopia

Riparian vegetation is a unique and ecologically significant ecosystem, globally recognized for its role in supporting diverse plant and animal species. This study designed to evaluate the composition and diversity of flora and fauna (with a focus on vertebrates), assess vegetation structure and plant community types, and analyse the environmental factors that shape biodiversity. Thirty plots measuring 10 m × 10 m were established at varying distances along a transect to collect vegetation data. For vertebrate data collection, twenty live trapping plots, each measuring 20 m × 20 m, were systematically established along a transect situated along the river corridor. These plots were used to document evidence such as droppings, carcasses, feeding traces, and burrows. Diversity indices for plants and animals were determined using the Shannon–Wiener formula. We have recorded 42 plant species comprising 23 families and 29 vertebrate species distributed along 27 families. The most species-rich families were Poaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae, Combretaceae, and Cyperaceae. Three distinct plant communities were identified and correlated with environmental factors. The total basal area and density of woody species were 25.8 m2/ha and 743.3 stems/ha, respectively. The most frequent species included Syzygium guineense (50%), Diospyros mespiliformis (40%), Ficus sycomorus (36.7%), Mimusops kummel (33.3%), and Ficus ingens (23.3%), all of which had high importance value indices. Among the recorded vertebrate species, mammals were the most abundant group, followed by birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The study emphasises how riparian vegetation serves as a habitat for plant and animal species and stresses the necessity of ecosystem-based conservation strategies in areas rich in biodiversity.