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We evaluated the fodder quality of Ficus thonningii Blume in the Ahferom district of Tigray, Ethiopia. Determination of foliar macronutrients and proximate chemical compositions was undertaken using five diameter classes (11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50 and 51-60 cm at breast height). In both cases, four replications in randomised complete blocks were considered. Data on foliar nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), digestible crude protein (DCP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), ash content and nitrogen free extract (NFE) were collected. Results revealed that the tree diameter size had an effect on foliar N, P, K, DM, CP, DCP, EE and CF, whereas it had no effect on ash content and NFE. The results also showed that F. thonningii leaves are a good source of nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals) as well as fibre and are within the recommended range for ruminant livestock growth and development. Hence, use of F. thonningii as a supplement/substitute livestock feed to low-quality grasses during the periods of feed scarcity should be widely considered.

Anthropogenic and climate-related phenomena are among the main factors responsible for variations in vegetation structure and composition worldwide. However, studies that integrate the effects of human activities and climate variability are still lacking in the fragile tropical ecosystems, including the semi-arid Tigray region. This study examined the relationship between vegetation cover, climate variability, and environmental policies in the semi-arid Tigray region of Ethiopia. Using satellite-based vegetation index and high-resolution rainfall data, the study found that human factors, particularly environmental policy implementations, played a more significant role in changing vegetation cover than climate variables. With r2 = 0.19, the regression analysis showed an insignificant causal relationship between vegetation dynamics and precipitation over the 41-year study period. However, the residual analysis result (r = -0.55, z-stat = -11.58, p < 0.01) indicated a strong relationship between vegetation change and environmental policies implemented within the specified study period. The research also highlighted the negative impact of the global rise in temperature on vegetation cover due to water stress caused by evapotranspiration. These findings suggest the need for future research to focus on assessing variations in correlation among different vegetation formations and policy changes in detail.