Thirty‐three sampling sites representing 11 lichen dominated plant communities on maritime rocks on Bornholm were analysed with respect to composition of the vegetation, number of animals present and gross taxonomic composition of the fauna. The specific fauna of one moss and seven lichen species was examined. The lichen communities studied were largely the same as those found in similar studies in NW Europe, except for the recognition of a distinct Ramalina cuspidata community. The highest average number of animals per area was found in the Schistidium maritimum and the Ramalina siliquosa communities, whereas the highest average number of animals g⁻¹ dry plant biomass was recorded in the Parmelia saxatilis community. Among the species examined Anaptychia fusca contained the highest average number of animals g⁻¹ dry thallus and Ramalina cuspidata the lowest number, 114 and 7, respectively. Collemboles appeared to dominate in the moss Schistidium maritimum and in foliose lichens, whereas mites dominated in crustose and fruticose lichens.