Only the cliffs with eroded ridges that are under the direct influence of sea waves belong to this habitat type (those cliff shores that are not subject to the erosion of the waves belong to habitat type 8210). The height of the eroded ridges on the Estonian cliffed coasts is from a few metres to several dozen metres. The upper part of a cliff ridge is often made up of various post-ice age sediments, such as shore gravel or pebbles, which can form temporary shore embankments at the foot of the ridge when they collapse.
The formation of vegetation here depends on the geological structure of the cliffed coast, the openness to the sea, and human impact. Vegetation develops in zones: from the communities formed in the cracks and on the ledges of the ridges to widespread vegetation at the flatter upper part of the cliff, where the subsoil is already covered by a layer of soil.
The best-known carbonate rock cliffs in Estonia that are still exposed to waves today are the Utria, Pulli, Püssina, Pank, Ohessaare, Ninase, Osmussaare cliffs, sand and carbonate rock cliffs on the Pakri Peninsula and in Türisalu, and sandstone cliffs in Suurupi and Rannamõisa.
Includes the following habitat types according to Paal: 4111 (limestone vegetation site type) and 4112 (sandstone vegetation site type).