Supplementary file 1_Carp angling: potential cultural ecosystem services and angler perceptions of a non-native species in Italy.pdf

Respondents were predominantly male (96.4% ± 1.2%), aged 25–45 years (60.3% ± 3.2%), with high-school education (60.8% ± 3.2%) and employed (89.7% ± 2.0%). Annual expenditure among weekly anglers averaged €5,085 ± 214. This expenditure may serve as a proxy for the potential economic value associated with the cultural ecosystem service of recreational carp fishing, although it does not constitute a full economic valuation.

Most respondents (87.9% ± 2.1%) perceived carp as ecologically beneficial, contrasting with scientific evidence documenting negative effects on water quality, benthic communities, and native biodiversity. FAMD identified two main gradients: one distinguishing high-effort specialists fishing in lentic habitats from more opportunistic anglers in lotic systems, and another reflecting demographic and educational differences.

Perceived ecological role showed only weak associations with fishing effort, indicating limited correspondence between species perception and behavioural investment. The results illustrate a socio-ecological paradox in which a non-native species can simultaneously generate cultural ecosystem services while exerting ecological impacts. The expenditure indicator captures a potential component of the cultural ecosystem service associated with carp fishing but does not account for ecosystem disservices linked to carp populations or their spread.

These findings highlight the importance of considering recreational benefits and stakeholder perceptions alongside ecological impacts when addressing the management of non-native carp populations.</p>