Q&A: What are chalk streams and why are these rare rivers under threat?

Automated news aggregation. Headlines and summaries are gathered from public feeds; see our editorial standards for sourcing, corrections, and AI-assist disclosure.

Chalk streams are among the world's rarest river habitats. Fewer than 300 exist globally, and most are found in England. They support rich wildlife and have been described as England's 'Great Barrier Reef' due to their biodiversity. But they face pressure from climate change and other long-term impacts including pollution and water abstraction. Professor Rachel Stubbington of Nottingham Trent University's School of Science and Technology explains what makes chalk streams unique, why they are important and what can be done to protect them.