This reference state of maritime grassland is dominated by species of Plantago, sometimes dominated by Plantago maritima and/or Plantago coronopus, and sometimes by a mix of these and Plantago lanceolata. The habitat is invariably species-poor and very short, which is important for the local Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) populations which favour these short, accessible swards for feeding on ants and Tipulid larvae. The habitat is maintained by high levels of salt deposition, which is a limiting factor for competitive species.