The picking of cactus fruits by little children is an example of the use of these hedges rarely seen nowadays. One aspect of the cactus hedges often overseen is their biological value. Cactus hedges consist of living cactus stems closely planted, creating an ideal microclimate for the germination of seeds of wild plants. Birds, other animals or the rainwater deposits the seeds at the feet of the hedges. Cactus hedges are attractive to birds and other animals as they can find refuge, food, nest locations or simple surveying posts.
Few people know that a certain bat species pollinates the cactus flower.
Through the years, a well-established cactus hedge will contain different plant species and many animals, which are living in and by it. Than such a cactus hedge will also fully perform the role of communication channel between natural areas. Cactus hedges nowadays are diminishing on Aruba, due to several factors like urbanization of the countryside, regression of the primary sector and construction trends. Undertaking conservational activities will be a necessity because of their diminishing rate and their biological value. The regression of the primary sector would be difficult to tackle as a conservational effort since traditional farmers are less common nowadays.