AUTHOR=Urbanič Gorazd , Politti Emilio , Rodríguez-González Patricia María , Payne Robin , Schook Derek , Alves Maria Helena , Anđelković Ana , Bruno Daniel , Chilikova-Lubomirova Mila , Di Lonardo Sara , Egozi Roey , Garófano-Gómez Virginia , Gomes Marques Inês , González del Tánago Marta , Gültekin Yaşar Selman , Gumiero Bruna , Hellsten Seppo , Hinkov Georgi , Jakubínský Jiří , Janssen Philippe , Jansson Roland , Kelly-Quinn Mary , Kiss Timea , Lorenz Stefan , Martinez Romero Roberto , Mihaljević Zlatko , Papastergiadou Eva , Pavlin Urbanič Maja , Penning Ellis , Riis Tenna , Šibík Jozef , Šibíková Mária , Zlatanov Tzvetan , Dufour Simon TITLE=Riparian Zones—From Policy Neglected to Policy Integrated JOURNAL=Frontiers in Environmental Science VOLUME=10 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.868527 DOI=10.3389/fenvs.2022.868527 ISSN=2296-665X ABSTRACT=

1. Riparian zones are vital areas of interaction between land and rivers and are often degraded by several pressures such as urbanisation, intensive agriculture and river engineering works. 2. This policy brief provides five key policy messages and recommendations to be considered by policy-makers, scientists, managers, and stakeholders to enhance riparian zone management. 3. Adopting an integrated socio-economic and environmentally dynamic view will ensure the sustainable management of riparian zones. 4. In light of climate change, it is critically important to conserve and/or restore the ecological integrity of riparian zones. 5. European Union Directives and national-scale legislation and regulations need updating to ensure coordinated implementation of riparian zone-related policies. 6. Stakeholder knowledge exchange, policy co-creation and adaptive management are key to enhancing riparian zone functions.