Understanding Stakeholder Perspectives on the Implementation and Management of Riparian Buffer Zones in the Santa Lucia River Basin, Uruguay.

ABSTRACT: Riparian buffer zones are essential nature-based solutions for protecting freshwater ecosystems globally, yet their implementation faces challenges in balancing ecological, agricultural, and social needs. In the Santa Lucía River Basin (SLRB) in Uruguay, these buffers are critical for improving water quality but face issues like low compliance and limited awareness of the policy in place. We explored stakeholder perspectives on riparian buffer implementation through 24 semi-structured interviews with government institutions, researchers, producer unions, producers, NGOs, and locals. Our aim was to identify perceptions of current and desired ecosystem services, buffer characteristics, and barriers and opportunities to successful implementation. Our results show that stakeholders acknowledge

SUBMITTER: Paarlberg A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12457512 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature