Beachy Head - summary

Beachy Head is situated on the south coast of England in East Sussex. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest of some 1102 ha and includes the Severn Sisters and the Cuckmere Valley. The sea cliff supports a variety of marine and terrestrial habitats derived from chalk deposits. The cliff and cliff top habitats in particular include species-rich chalk grassland and scrub. The chalk grassland flora is variable and includes a rich variety of typical and rare species such as rock sea lavender Limonium binervosum, sea radish Raphanus maritimus and rock samphire Crithmum maritimum on the steep chalk cliffs. On the cliff top burnt orchid Orchis ustulata, field fleawort Senecio integrifolius, and early spider orchid Ophrys sphegodes are some of the rarer species.

Like similar cliff-top habitat elsewhere the site has suffered losses of semi-natural vegetation of between 80-95%.

Comment: The particular interest of this site from a habitat restoration perspective lies in the rate of loss of cliff habitat and the implications for housing and attempts to restore cliff top grassland for nature conservation.