User guidance for riparian zone science-management relationships

This document aims at guiding scientists and managers in the implementation of the solutions for the enhanced riparian zone management. Closer attention to the sustainable management of riparian zones is urgently needed, because they are among the world's most degraded ecosystems. However, riparian zones are not recognized as separate critical assets and their sustainable management is not sufficiently supported at all levels of decision making related to riparian zones e.g. water management and spatial planning and among all riparian zone stakeholders (Urbani? et al. submitted). The user guidance focuses on the science-management misalignments and possible solutions recognised by riparian zone scientists and managers across Europe and beyond during the COST action "Knowledge conversion for enhancing management of European riparian ecosystems and services (CONVERGES)" activities. The document is based on and further specifies solutions recognised during the consultation process containing questions about recognised issues in the riparian zone management as well as suggested solutions. Questionnaires were delivered to riparian zone managers and scientists across Europe. Recognised issues and possible solutions were then discussed at the online workshop organised by COST action Converges in February 2021. Finally, possible solutions were ranked through a second questionnaire by managers and scientists from 26 European states and the United States of America. Ranking was done according to their expertise in potential solutions that would contribute most to enhanced management. The document constitutes guidance and good practice with a case study, when available. It starts with the description of the issue and continues with the explanation of the solution for enhanced riparian zone management and description of how it should be implemented. At the end, it is shown what solutions have already been implemented.