Maritime cliffs and slopes
Maritime cliffs and slopes form through land slippages or coastal erosion. Slopes can vary between 15 degrees to vertical. Coastal habitats less steeply sloping than this are included in the sand dunes and coastal grassland habitat action plan. The vegetation of maritime cliffs can vary widely depending upon the geology, degree of slope, exposure to wind and salt spray. These cliffs support a variety of plants and are important breeding grounds for many birds. Ledges on maritime cliffs are important nesting sites for sea birds such as kittiwake, fulmar, shag and cormorant.
The UK coastline contains about 4000km of cliffs. In the Tees Valley, parts of the coast have been affected by industrial and urban developments. However, there are still extensive areas of semi-natural cliff habitats. Maritime cliffs rise to the east of Saltburn and continue to the Tees Valley border. These cliffs are of local and national importance for wildlife and heritage, being part of the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast.
