Abstract Researchers and policymakers are increasingly acknowledging the role of hedges in delivering ecosystem services. However, much of the existing knowledge is based on studies carried out in urban areas, with relatively little information gathered from rural or village settings. A village presents a unique set of circumstances that justify a study on hedge species. The study investigated the distribution of hedge plant species within seven (7) wards in the village of Maun using walk-by surveys of all publicly accessible roads in each ward. A total of ten (10) hedge species were recorded across the seven wards. Sedie exhibited the greatest species richness and Moeti ward the least. Kgosing recorded the highest density of hedge species ( Hʹ ) followed by Tsanakona, Sedie and Boseja. Riverside and Moeti recorded the lowest. Similarly, Kgosing and Tsanakona were among the wards with the highest evenness. In contrast, Sedie and Boseja recorded the lowest evenness. Of the total number of hedge species recorded nine (90 %) are internationally classified as invasive alien plants. The total mean densities of hedge plant species across the seven (7) wards were twenty-eight (28) individuals km −1 . Sedie recorded the greatest density and Moeti the least. Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. was the dominant species in four (Sedie, Kgosing, Riverside and Tsanakona) of the seven (7) wards. Melia azedarach L. and Duranta erecta L. were limited to one ward at low densities in Kgosing and New Disaneng ward, respectively. Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq, B. spectabilis and Euphorbia tirucalli L. were the only species observed across the seven wards. This study demonstrated that almost all the hedge species are invasive alien plants and are not uniformly distributed between the wards, highlighting the need for public awareness and management campaigns.
Lenkopane et al. (Thu,) studied this question.