Riparian thickets along the Camana-Arequipa River. Photo: David Samata. Riparian Thickets Riparian thickets occupy the banks and floodplain of streams and rivers. This habitat type is composed of shrubs, scrub, grasses, and small trees.  Riparian thickets grow in the desert areas and are bordered by no vegetation or vegetation adapted to dry conditions. On the dry […]