'Hard' rock cliffs

The principle 'route to restoration' for vegetated sea cliffs is from State 2 - State 1. The restoration requirement on these cliffs is largely concerned with reversing the decline in plant and animal diversity brought about a lack of, or reduction in grazing pressure. The growth of course grasses, scrub and woodland can eliminate all but the most robust plants and animals. These restoration programmes usually involve reversing the 'overgrown' (State 2) to achieve a more open (State 1) vegetation. Re-creation of open (State 1) grassland or heathland vegetation from arable land may also be appropriate.

'Soft' rock cliffs

The 'route to restoration' for 'soft' rock cliffs, which have been 'protected' from erosion, is often simply to restore their inherent mobility (State 3 - State 2). In many cases once the factors preventing erosion are removed natural cycles of erosion and stabilisation can re-create suitable habitat for a range of species typical of these areas. In those cases where there are long periods between episodes of instability (State 4), it is assumed natural forces will eventually take control even where protective measures are introduced, due to the scale of the processes involved.