What locals want: citizen preferences and priorities for the Tagliamento River

Abstract Sustainable river management frameworks are based on the connection between citizens and nature. So far, though, relationship rivers local populations has played a marginal role in management. Here, we present blueprint questionnaire to characterize perception of cultural ecosystem services (CES) by locals, how preferences change across landscape. We investigate locals value whether their affected characteristics such as place residence, age, frequency visits relation river. The was filled more than 4000 respondents, demonstrating huge interest willingness contribute project. A striking 85% respondents identify spiritual river, suggesting strong emotional connection. River conservation is main priority for most different groups. map favorite places shows that appreciated with high preference landscape braided middle course. valued area located course, faces threats due dam construction projects, which would modify natural course likely impact locals. Our study highlights discrepancies choices citizens´ values priorities, need including CES potential tackling conflicts. More generally, this work points out any intervention should be pondered carefully accounting its environmental also terms loss values.