'Hard' rock sea cliffs - State 1, Open vegetation

The vegetation of 'hard' rock cliffs depend on the nature and resistance of the rock, exposure to waves and salt spray and the latitude in which they occur. The steepest most exposed slopes are clothed in salt tolerant vegetation, often inaccessible and virtually free from human disturbance. The cliffs are have a range of values including nature conservation and landscape.

Caption: Flamborough Head, Humberside showing exposed maritime limestone grassland on the headlands

Away for the most extreme maritime conditions the sea cliffs may be covered in open low-growing vegetation, including maritime heathland on acid rocks, or grassland on calcareous rocks (see picture opposite). In the south the limestone rocks support calcareous grassland in an open, close-cropped vegetation. Accessible cliffs (or parts of cliffs) have some of the attributes of inaccessible cliffs but also have an economic value including their use for grazing stock. Other examples include the limestone areas around Lulworth in Dorset and the rich western heaths of the Lizard in south west Cornwall.

Comment: The accessible maritime cliff slopes and cliff tops have in the past been maintained in their open state by grazing by domestic stock. The rabbit may also have played an important part at many sites.