Sea cliff grazing - summary

On sea cliffs exposed to wind and salt spray and where plants communities tend to be low-growing, they occur as a zonation rather than a succession. This zonation reflects the interaction of rock type (calcareous or acid) degree of exposure and grazing pressure. Grazing in particular plays an important role in the development of plant communities on less steep and more accessible cliff slopes and cliff tops. It helps maintain and possibly extend the area of semi-natural grasslands (such as Maritime cliff communities 9-10-11) and heathland (H 6-8) is these areas where the influence of salt-spray is less pronounced. The levels of grazing associated with the different grassland types are indicated.

In addition to influencing the nature of the vegetation grazing also appears to be important to the survival of a number of animals species. Amongst these are included chough and large blue butterfly, both species which in past decades have become very scarce in Great Britain, the latter becoming extinct in 1979. The National Trust has particular experience in this area.