Bursdon Moor is a rare example of culm grassland within the North Devon Coast AONB. Culm Grassland is the term given to damp unimproved grassland that are found overlaying the culm measures of Devon and Cornwall, many of these grasslands being lost to 20th century agricultural improvements. The mix of wet heath, mire and grassland plants ensure that the moor is botanically interesting and supports an impressive range of rare butterflies, such as the Marsh and Pearl Bordered Fritillary and moorland breeding birds such as the Curlew and Skylark. There are also a number of Bronze Age Tumuli and Barrows (ancient burial mounds) located on the moor, which are offered protection as Scheduled Ancient Monuments.