Fixed dune grassland forms on the sloping dunes to the landward side of the foredunes. This closed grassland can be both colourful and species-rich and hosts a number of rare and declining species. Two core species of the habitat are red fescue (Festuca rubra) and lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum), with pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) a common associate. As the dune systems, continue to stabilise and mature, in the absence of active management, species-rich fixed dune grassland is likely to be replaced by species-poor grassland dominated by false oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) and cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata) and/or scrub.
