THE PEOPLE
Ben Asher
PhD Researcher in River Restoration
WHAT DRIVES HIM
Sharing knowledge of these rare and beautiful ecosystems is something I find important
There are around 200 chalk streams in the world, and 85% of them are found in England. Their gentle, flowing, crystal-clear waters host an array of endangered and unique flora and fauna; they also provide much of our drinking water, contribute towards a strong fishing economy, and sequester great amounts of carbon.
However, 100% of chalk streams fail to reach good chemical status, and 81% fail to reach good ecological status. This saddens and angers me.
Therefore, my research interests include monitoring a flagship chalk stream restoration project on the Lower Anton, a tributary of the River Test, Hampshire. Through contemporary field and laboratory techniques, I test for water quality and how that impacts plant, insect, and fish communities.
Sharing knowledge of these rare and beautiful ecosystems is something I find important, so I teach, write to inform policy, and offer my expertise in other restoration projects.
PROTECTING OUR CHALK RIVERS
A conversation with Ben
Myself. People seem to believe that hope comes before action. They get beaten down by the media and news, wanting to become inspired. I have found that rather than hope leading to action, action leads to hope. By taking action, no matter how small, gives you a sense of responsibility and connection that gets you up in the morning. Realistically, I know my work won’t have a huge impact, but it’s the act of trying that changes my perception of the world into an optimistic and hopeful one – if I am committed to making the world a better place, how many more thousands or millions of others are too?
I am monitoring them. By quantifying the success or failure of restoration projects, I can help inform future restoration practices in hopes to make them more effective. Also, by learning more about our beautiful chalk streams, I can help inform policy to better protect them, and to teach and inspire others to do whatever they can to help out too.