Carpobrotus edulis, a highly invasive plant species repeatedly introduced along the Atlantic coast of South America, poses a significant threat to the ecological integrity of coastal dune ecosystems in Uruguay. This study used 15 years of iNaturalist records to assess the magnitude of Carpobrotus invasion, focusing on its distribution, abundance, and reproductive phenology. Through the analysis of georeferenced and dated data, we determined that Carpobrotus has spread extensively, covering a 10-km-wide coastal area and occupying approximately 220 km along the Atlantic coast and the outer Rio de la Plata estuary. Records have increased in the last three years, with a summer prevalence of 52.9%, due to higher activity on the platform. The species exhibited two flowering peaks in spring and autumn, suggesting an extended reproductive period. The widespread presence of this species in both natural and urbanized areas highlights the urgent need for effective management strategies to mitigate its impact on native biodiversity. Utilizing citizen science platforms like iNaturalist has been instrumental in monitoring and documenting processes of invasion. However, further investigations are necessary, particularly in less sampled regions, to fully understand the extent of Carpobrotus invasion. To protect the country’s coastal ecosystems, it is crucial for local authorities to reassess current practices related to non-native species ornamental planting. By addressing the invasion of C. edulis, the ecological integrity of coastal dune ecosystems can be preserved, ensuring the survival of native flora and fauna along Uruguay’s Atlantic coast.

Carpobrotus edulis是一种高度入侵的植物物种，在南美洲大西洋沿岸反复引入，对乌拉圭沿海沙丘生态系统的生态完整性构成重大威胁。这项研究使用 15 年的 iNaturalist 记录来评估Carpobrotus入侵的程度，重点关注其分布、丰度和繁殖物候。通过对地理参考和年代数据的分析，我们确定Carpobrotus已广泛传播，覆盖了10公里宽的沿海地区，并占据了大西洋沿岸和拉普拉塔河口外约220公里的范围。由于平台上的活动增加，过去三年的记录有所增加，夏季流行率为 52.9%。该物种在春季和秋季出现两个开花高峰，表明繁殖期延长。该物种在自然和城市地区的广泛存在凸显了迫切需要有效的管理策略，以减轻其对本地生物多样性的影响。利用 iNaturalist 等公民科学平台有助于监测和记录入侵过程。然而，需要进一步调查，特别是在采样较少的地区，以充分了解Carpobrotus入侵的程度。为了保护该国的沿海生态系统，地方当局必须重新评估与非本地物种观赏性种植相关的现行做法。通过解决C的入侵。edulis可以保护沿海沙丘生态系统的生态完整性，确保乌拉圭大西洋沿岸本土动植物群的生存。