Résilience de la flore indigène après éradication des griffes de sorcière (Carpobrotus spp.) sur une île méditerranéenne

Abstract

Resilience of the native flora on a Mediterranean island after eradication of ice plant (Carpobrotus sp.). — Species invasions are considered as a major threat relative to native species, especially for island systems. Eradication programs of invasive species are an alternative for the preservation of island's native biodiversity. In this context, the managers of the Port-Cros national Park have implemented in 2010 a 2 ha manual control program of ice plant (Carpobrotus sp., Aizoaceae), invasive in the Mediterranean basin and, particularly, on the island of Bagaud (Var, France). Temporal changes of plant communities (i. e. species richness and plant cover) were analysed in permanent plots (100 m² and 16 m²) before (2010-2011) and after (2013-2014) Carpobrotus sp. eradication. These plant communities were also compared with native reference plant communities of this island. Species richness and plant cover of native flora significantly increased in 2013 due to the germination of native plants seed bank. On coastal sites, the recovery of native flora is faster and matches with the halo-resistant reference plant community. On inland sites, the recovery of native flora includes low matorral and halonitrophilous species. Invasive species control must include monitoring through time of native plant species to find out whether recovery is transient or long lasting in the context of degraded ecosystems restoration or threatened species conservation.