Species of the genus Carpobrotus, or iceplant, are succulent mat-forming perennial herbs often introduced for soil stabilization. They are common in coastal environments and may thus threaten island biodiversity. While their effects are well known on soils, plant communities and associated fauna, the effects of Carpobrotus control on vegetation recovery is poorly documented. The aim of the paper is to describe plant community trajectories after Carpobrotus removal. Location Bagaud: a 58-ha Mediterranean island, southern France. Methods Carpobrotus and its litter were removed in 2011-2012. Follow-up controls of germinations and resprouts were carried out from then on. Plant communities were surveyed every year two years before and seven years after Carpobrotus removal: on two ca. 0.5-ha sites (one coastal and one inland) and in three native plant communities used as potential references. Differences in resprouts, vegetation parameters, Bray-Curtis similarity indices between years were tested. Plant community dynamics was studied through a NMDS and two recovery indices. Results The removal of Carpobrotus and its litter led to the recovery of diverse native plant communities. To prevent Carpobrotus return and ensure success, follow-up controls were necessary for a period of at least seven years, but the amount of work decreased with time. The plant community recovering on the coastal site quickly reached a composition and structure similar to that of noninvaded coastal vegetation, although some slow-growing native species remain under-represented (e.g. Crithmum maritimum and Limonium pseudominutum). The plant community recovering on the inland site was still very different from the surrounding matorral vegetation because of its slow colonization dynamics, particularly in the presence of competitive herbaceous species. Conclusion Both sites now provide diverse native plant communities with a more diversified composition and structure (plant heights, litter, bare ground patches) than the plant communities which used to be associated with Carpobrotus mats.

Two years after the beginning of the interventions, both eradication operations are still ongoing. Biosecurity measures have been implemented to reduce reinvasion risks of both taxa. With the long-term monitoring of various native plants and animals, Bagaud Island will become a reference study site for scientific purposes.