Maritime cliff - biodiversity target

The research and survey outlined for maritime cliffs will provide a basis for developing more specific targets and objectives. In particular, research into the options for removal/abandonment of existing defences may allow further definition of this objective:

• Seek to maintain the existing maritime cliff resource of cliff-top and slope habitat, of about 4000 km. Maintain wherever possible free functioning of coastal physical processes acting on maritime cliff and slope habitats;
• Seek to retain and where possible increase the amount of maritime cliff and slope habitats unaffected by coastal defence and other engineering works;
• Increase the area of cliff-top semi-natural habitats by at least 500 ha over the next 20 years;
• Improve by appropriate management the quality of at least 30% of the maritime cliff and slope habitats, including cliff-top vegetation, by 2010, and as much as possible before 2015.

Comment: The national biodiversity targets are revised from time to time and updated by the JNCC at http://www.ukbap.org.uk/.