1.      Sheep grazing occurred on the Gibraltar Point dunes during the early part of the century, although is thought to have been limited to the southern part of the West Dunes only.  This had ceased by about the 1920’s.  The resumption of sheep- grazing on the East and West Dunes from the mid 1980’s has been instrumental in suppressing colonising scrub on grey dunes.  Hitherto, livestock have not been used as a management tool to enhance the scrub block structure.

2.      Sea buckthorn colonisation appears to be suppressed to some extent where rabbit grazing pressure is heavy.  Young shoots are tackled during the winter months and stripped of leaf buds.  Some gnawing of bark on older growth may also cause some dieback in hard winters.  When myxomatosis devastated the rabbit population during the early 1950s, Hippophae colonised extensively, with seedlings becoming established on the outer dune ridges and suckering from established stands.  Domination of scrub over open dune grassland may have contributed to the demise of such species as natterjack toad Bufo calamita and brown argus Aricia agestis.

3.      On the East Dunes, clematis growth has been extensive in parts.  It may completely swamp scrub.  Clematis is the foodplant of the small waved umber Horisme vitalbata.

4.      On the old dune ridges, considerable areas of senescing buckthorn and elder scrub are apparent.  Where dieback has been extensive, some buckthorn may recolonise, but the opportunity may be exploited by sycamore seedlings.  On the East and West Dune systems, the potential seed source is significant through the proximity of mature sycamore along the golf course edge and road verge respectively.  In certain areas the presence of sycamore shows the transition from scrub to sub maritime woodland.  This is tolerated within defined limits eg the sycamore plot in the West Dunes as an example of succession. Non-native pines are established around the North Car Park and at Aylmer Avenue.  The latter block serves as an effective screen for the housing development at Aylmer Avenue and is therefore accepted at present limits.  there is no evidence that seedling establishment is occurring.  Elsewhere, other planted pines have been eradicated.

5.      During prolonged periods without precipitation, the dune landscape soon becomes parched and vegetation may show signs of drought-stress.  At such times, the risk of fire may be high, whether through natural factors or deliberate actions/arson.  Fire may have a catastrophic effect on dune scrub.

6.      The Measures 40 acres (compt 1/95) exhibits one of the finest examples of sea buckthorn scrub in the UK.  This compartment was purchased by the Trust in 1995 and designated NNR shortly afterwards.  Management has centred on the reinstatement of a historic ride system (formerly for pheasant shooting) which had scrubbed over.  Today, this system provides a good example of extensive strips of grassland/scrub ecotone where rides have been managed by annual mowing. Stock-fencing around this compartment was completed in 2001/2, enabling livestock grazing for the first time in summer 2002. It is envisaged that the actions of cattle and sheep will extend the scrub/grassland ecotone here.

7.      As discussed previously, there is a poor floral association with sea buckthorn scrub.  There are few invertebrates which are totally dependent (monophagous) on sea buckthorn.  One such species though, is the RDB 3 micro- moth Gelechia hippophaella which was first described at Gibraltar Point.  The larvae of this moth have been so abundant in occasional years that severe defoliation has been apparent on the host plant.  More recently, it is noteworthy that another micro- moth, Spilonota ocellana has also caused extensive defoliation on Hippophae, particularly on the outer dunes and seaward sector of the East Dunes.  After the larvae have pupated, the scrub appears to make a full recovery.  Other moths which are known to use Hippophae as a foodplant include the yellow- tail Euproctis similis, lackey Malacosma neustria and ash pug Eupithecia fraxinata.  The value of deadwood may be very important for inverts ie the cranefly Ctenophora pectinicornis, which is an ancient woodland indicator (Stubbs).  The green hairstreak butterfly Callophrys rubi has been observed ovipositing on Hippophae as well as other vegetation.  Future studies of the invertebrate fauna of Hippophae in various growth phases (including deadwood) should be encouraged.

8.      The dune scrub can support a very high density of nesting birds, including several species of conservation concern.  Dunnock Punella modularis, reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus and linnet Carduelis cannabina favour dense growths of maturing sea buckthorn where the impenetrable scrub renders them free from human disturbance and doubtless deters nest predation by corvids and fox.  The Measures’ compartment again is one of the most important sites for its assemblage of scrub nesting birds.  Blocks of older scrub with mature hawthorns are favoured by turtle dove Steptopelia turtur, yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella and long-eared owl Asio otus.  Song thrush Turdus philomelos occasionally use dune habitat for nesting.  The once widespread redpoll Carduelis flammea has declined to virtual extinction locally.  Many of these birds are reliant upon a range of habitats at various seasons.  Finches and buntings are particularly reliant upon cultivated land during the winter and population declines for some of these birds of conservation concern have been linked to changes in farm practices.  In the west dunes standing dead wood (compt 1/22) probably governs the populations of hole- nesting blue and great tits.  Bird population trends are recorded through the common bird census (CBC).  This is supplemented with information on productivity from the constant effort ringing scheme (CES).

9.      The extensive scrub on this stretch of coast provides an important feeding and resting refuge for large numbers of migrant landbirds, including warblers, thrushes, flycatchers and finches etc.  The reserve has long been recognised as one of the most important migration sites on the east coast of Britain.  The bird observatory was established in 1948 and extensive ringing and observational studies have been carried out subsequently.

10.     The lichen flora associated with elder is extensive.  The bark of elder tends to be somewhat alkaline and supports an interesting lichen population by counteracting low levels of atmospheric pollution which may interfere with establishment on more acid bark (BW Fox 85).  During a survey of the West Dunes, 14 species of lichen were found on elder.