Geology
The dramatic landscapes of the Semen Mountains (i.e. the extreme escarpments and their thousands of meters of sheer cliffs) are the result of massive seismic activity in the area about 40 million years ago (Miocene and Oligocene, geological period). Ever since, this massive complex (a 3000m-thick molten lava outpour) has been going through tectonic activities (faulting, folding … during tertiary period), glaciations/ice cover and uplifting. Subsequently, erosion over the millennia has resulted in the rugged landscapes of the Simen Mountains (Hurni H., Ethiopia 1986).
Climate
The annual mean temperatures range from about 180c at 2600m altitude to about – 20c at 4400 m altitude. Fluctuations in diurnal temperatures are common and hence the area is described as ’summer every day’ and ‘winter every night’. The dry season begins in November and ends in February, while the wet season stays for 8 months beginning from March up to October. Characterized by low alpine temperature, the area is very cold in the early morning of the dry season.
Flora (Natural vegetations)
Due to variation in altitude and topographical features, the vegetation in Semen Mountain is characterized by four different altitudinal belts; namely: Afro alpine moorland (3700-4400 masl), Ericaceous moorland/sub alpine highland (2900- 3700 masl), montane forest belts (2000-3000 masl), and savanna belt (below 2000mast). The endemic giant lobelia rhynchopetalum and festuca gilbertiana, Tree heather, erica arbora, hypericum revolutum , hypericum quartinianum, Juniperus procera, Hagenia abyssinica, Olea chrysophylla, and Papanea simensis are dominant species, to name a few. Species which are traditionally recognized as having ‘medicinal’ value include: Hagenia abyssinica, giant lobelia rhynchopetalum, Synoglossumlanceolatum, or Giometricum, phytolaca Dodicandra, Thymus serrulatus, Myrsine Africana, Achyranthus aspera, Kalanchoe deficiens, Zehnaria scabro, Conium maculatum,
Fauna
Though the park is home for 32 mammals and 182 bird species, Semen is known more by the richness (high rate) of endemicity than species diversity, as there are 11 endemic mammals and 6 endemic bird species, each accounting for 32.2% and 37.5% of the country’s endemic mammals and bird species, respectively. Semen is one of the parks that make the country ‘center of endemicity’ in East Africa, next to Madagascar. The 4 endemic large mammals of the park, which account for 57% of the country’s endemic large mammals, are: WAllia Ibex capra ibex wallie with a population of 623 as of 2005 (endemic to Semen only), Ethiopian wolf canis simensis with a population of 78 as of 2005 , Gelada Baboon theropithecus geladal more than 4000, Minilik Bush buck (tragelaphuss cripts meneliki)- still questionable. Besides, the park is also home for other large mammal species, such as: Klipspringer (oreotragus), Leopard (panthera pardus), and common jacal (canisaureus). In addition to large and small mammals there are also 6 endemic bird species in the SMNP, namely; Spot breasted plover, Abyssinian long claw, Abyssinian cat bird, Black headed siskin, Abyssinian woodpecker and Ankober Serine.
Culture and History
The Semen Mountains are sources of historical and cultural records of local features in the 18th and 19th century, as the area was at the crossing of old trade routes (Hurni,1986). Being located at the center of the three old cultural and historical centers, namely; Axum,Gondar and Lalibela, the Semen Mountains have been refugees for people since prehistoric times (2000 years). Ancient monasteries and churches, such as: Aba saduk, Amba mariam, Kidus Yared and Deresge mariam, which have long been existed here hundreds years ago, have rich cultural values.
