Baseline Ecological Assessment of Riparian Flora Under Canal Lining and Climate‐Induced Aridity in Northern Egypt

Abstract

ABSTRACT Canal lining is increasingly implemented in arid and semi‐arid regions to improve irrigation efficiency and reduce water losses; however, such interventions may profoundly alter riparian ecosystems, particularly under intensifying climatic aridity. The present study provides a baseline ecological and floristic assessment of riparian vegetation along a major irrigation canal in Northern Egypt prior to canal lining implementation. Field‐based vegetation surveys were conducted across 42 riparian stands, documenting plant diversity, life‐form spectra, chorological affinities, and conservation status. A total of 110 plant taxa belonging to 29 families and 84 genera were recorded, with Poaceae, Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, and Brassicaceae as the dominant families. Therophytes and annual species predominated, reflecting high disturbance levels and adaptation to arid conditions. To place the baseline floristic patterns within their broader environmental context, regional climate trends were analyzed using geospatial datasets of temperature, precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration for historical (1961–1980), current (2001–2020), and projected future (2041–2060) periods. The climatic analysis indicates a progressive shift toward warmer and drier conditions, suggesting increasing environmental stress on riparian vegetation. Post‐lining conditions are discussed only in a qualitative and contextual manner, based on field observations and published studies, as all surveyed sites were removed during the lining process, precluding quantitative before–after comparisons. The integration of baseline ecological data with regional climatic trends highlights the vulnerability of riparian flora in arid irrigation landscapes undergoing hydrological modification. This study establishes a critical ecological reference for future impact assessments, restoration planning, and biodiversity‐inclusive water management under accelerating climate‐induced aridity.