Seawater spray, blown over heath, deposits minerals and trace elements. Here salt-tolerant plants can thrive and mineral deposition creates rich plant communities in the form of grassy heaths. These may contain maritime plants such as thrift. The main plant species include heather, crowberry, bell heather, cross-leaved heath and creeping willow and these support large numbers of invertebrates including butterflies and bumblebees. These in turn are a vital food source for both birds and small mammals such as the shrew.

Grazing is usually needed to maintain a balance between dwarf shrubs, like heather and crowberry, and fine grasses and broadleaved herbs. However, heavy grazing coupled with the harsh environment may lead to these shrubs dying out completely. In the winter, as the palatability of the grasses declines, sheep move on to heather and other dwarf shrubs. It is important therefore that grazing levels at this time of year are set to do no more than lightly crop the heathland plants. Regeneration will thus be allowed. When cattle are grazing this habitat, the dung they produce will raise invertebrate numbers thus benefiting curlew, golden plover, finches, oystercatcher, skylark and wheatear.

Certain agricultural activities can reduce the conservation interest of coastal and maritime heath. An inappropriate grazing regime can prevent flowering of cliff top vegetation. Supplementary feeding on the heath may cause poaching and increase nutrient levels that will inhibit growth of heathland plant communities.

Other species such as butterflies and moths often find the areas closest to the shore where the heaths are rich in flowering plants particularly attractive for feeding. Fencing may be necessary in order to effect the necessary grazing control.