Stakeholders´ Perspectives on Riparian Zones Across Europe: Shared Views and Regional Contrasts

Riparian zones are transitional habitats linking terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and connecting diverse socio-ecological landscapes within catchments. They naturally support high biodiversity and provide multiple ecosystem services, yet they have been extensively modified and degraded by human activities. Although Europe has established binding nature restoration targets, the absence of a standardised framework for riparian ecosystems across countries often leads to management inconsistencies, further complicated by differing stakeholder perceptions of threats and priorities. We surveyed stakeholders' views on the ecological roles, threats, and management needs of riparian zones across five European countries (Sweden, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Italy). Responses from more than 500 participants show strong alignment between scientists and practitioners. Approximately half of all respondents considered their local river basins to be in low to moderate condition. Perceptions of key threats varied geographically: invasive species were viewed as a major concern in the Iberian Peninsula, whereas habitat modification was broadly recognized as a critical issue. Conversely, Swedish respondents viewed water-quality degradation as a minor threat. Management priorities also differed regionally, with German respondents frequently emphasising restoration, while Portuguese prioritised environmental education. Awareness of European eco-schemes supporting riparian restoration was generally low, particularly in Sweden. Ultimately, our large-scale survey reveals both shared and divergent stakeholder perspectives that mirror the environmental and ecological characteristics of riparian zones across Europe's boreal, continental, Atlantic and Mediterranean ecoregions. These findings underscore the need to improve awareness of financial incentives and to strengthen support for riparian conservation and restoration across the EU.