Abstract

Riparian vegetation can be defined as plant growing at the edge of natural water bodies such as stream, river or lake. The interface between the land and natural water bodies can be described as a riparian area or riparian zone. The over-all indicators of riparian areas: vegetation, soil and water. Some benefits of riparian ecosystem include: gathering of contaminants, sediment and mineral elements, strengthening of waterway, regulation of Water overflow, leisure and beautification of the environment and habitat for bird species. Habitat quality in avian species can be measured using parameters such as suitable habitat and marginal habitat. Bird needs habitat for food, shelter, and escape from predators, breeding and mating. All known riparian vegetation carries out functions that are the close in nature and ecological features. Some of the basic necessities of bird species are: Food, water, shelter and nesting sites. Riparian areas permit energy flow, recycling of minerals elements and water, hydrologic function, and sustenance of plant and animal population. All the aforementioned roles make riparian vegetation to be irreplaceable compared to adjoining landscape. Apart from that, it provides food, water, shelter and nesting sites for avian species. Susceptibility and the ease of riparian zones becoming degraded is very high due to it sensitive nature as a bioindicator coupled with pressure from anthropogenic activities. Hence, destruction may arise from unrestrained access to livestock, clean clearing for farming, urbanization, and road and dam construction. In order to guarantee long-standing sustainability in avian conservation, riparian health should be put into consideration, by managing livestock adequately. Fencing should be adopted to restrict livestock access to riparian areas. Restoration of indigenous floras should be promoted and afforestation and control of unwanted plants should be adopted. Diverse stratum of floras should be encouraged in any riparian vegetation for example, canopy, understory and groundcovers.

Keywords

bird species; anthropogenic activities; riparian vegetation; habitat loss; agriculture; hydrology