Tracking an invasive coastline plant with social media
A recent study led by researchers at the University of Galway shows how a bright, holiday-photo staple—the carpobrotus plant—plays to its advantage in invaded regions by flowering for a longer period than in its native South Africa. Using more than 1,700 photos from Instagram and citizen science platforms, scientists mapped bloom timing and spread, uncovering a crucial clue in the plant’s ability to dominate coastal ecosystems around the world.
The work, published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, highlights a growing field called iEcology: the use of everyday digital imagery to monitor biodiversity. By tapping into images people post during beach trips or cliff-top sunsets, researchers gained a global, real-time view of where carpobrotus is flourishing and when its flowers are at their peak.
What is carpobrotus and why does it matter?
Carpobrotus is a showy coastal succulent known for glossy leaves that attract pollinators. In many places it has invaded, the plant forms dense mats and can smother native flora. A single plant can cover up to 50 square meters, altering soil chemistry and monopolizing resources that local species rely on. Its ability to reproduce through both seeds and fragments makes it particularly difficult to control.
Key findings from the Galway-led study
Across Ireland, Britain, the Mediterranean, California and other regions, the research team found that carpobrotus blooms for a longer stretch in invaded areas than in its native habitat. This extended flowering window provides a reproductive edge, enabling the plant to produce more seeds and spread more effectively. The researchers emphasize that timing control measures to coincide with peak flowering could greatly reduce seed production and slow or halt spread.
Dr. Susan Canavan, the study’s lead author, explained that iEcology transformed what began as casual observations into a powerful surveillance tool. “Thousands of people were unknowingly documenting these invasions in the background of their beach selfies,” she noted, underscoring how social media can become an invaluable ecological data source when analyzed systematically.
How iEcology informs management strategies
For coastal managers, knowing when carpobrotus typically flowers in each invaded region is practical and actionable. The study suggests scheduling removal efforts just before seed production ramps up, maximizing the impact of control measures. Because the plant also spreads via fragments, even small disturbances can trigger regrowth if timing is not carefully planned.
Co-author Dr. Anna Novoa from the Czech Academy of Sciences added that accurate flowering timelines offer a targeted approach: “Knowing exactly when they flower in each region means we can strike when they’re most vulnerable, before they produce thousands of seeds.” The implication is clear: evidence-based intervention can reduce native coastal diversity losses and protect vulnerable ecosystems from longer-term damage.
Global scope and the digital age of ecology
The international team—spanning Ireland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Australia and the United States—showed that the same species adapts its reproductive schedule to new environments. While native South Africa exhibits a short flowering peak, invaded regions experience an extended bloom. This pattern strengthens the case for international coordination in monitoring and control efforts, using publicly available imagery as a supplement to traditional fieldwork.
Looking ahead
As invasive species continue to exploit new frontiers, the fusion of citizen science and modern imaging technologies offers a scalable way to keep pace. Researchers hope to refine iEcology methods, incorporate automated image analysis, and expand geographic coverage. If nothing changes, carpobrotus could continue to erode coastal biodiversity in places like Ireland and beyond. Early, timely intervention—driven by robust data—could be the difference between containment and widespread ecological decline.
Conclusion
The Galway study exemplifies how the digital age reshapes ecological research. By transforming vacation photos into a global monitoring network, scientists can detect invasion dynamics, time management actions, and better safeguard coastlines from persistent, flowering invaders.
