Revised Recovery Plan (1996)

Part I: Introduction

Cover Pages

Executive Summary

Introduction

Description and Taxonomy

Life History and Ecology

Breeding

Arrival and Courtship
Nests
Nesting Densities
Egg-laying and Incubation
Brood-rearing
Defense of Nests and Chicks
Feeding Habitat and Habits

Migration
Wintering

Distribution
Habitat Selection
Habitat Use and Movements
Winter Site Fidelity
Intra- and Inter-specific Interactions


Population Status and Distribution

Abundance

Trends Prior to 1985
Trends Since Listing Under the Endangered Species Act

Productivity
Survival
Current Breeding Distribution
Breeding Site Fidelity and Dispersal
Habitat Carrying Capacity
Vulnerability to Extinction

Demographic Factors
Genetic Factors


Reasons for Listing and Continuing Threats

Loss and Degradation of Breeding Habitat
Disturbance of Breeding Plovers by Humans and Pets

Non-motorized Beach Activities
Motorized Vehicles
Beach-cleaning

Predation
Threats to Wintering Piping Plovers
Oil Spills and Other Contaminants


Implications for the Beach Ecosystem

Current Conservation Efforts

Regulatory Protection
Protection and Management on Breeding Sites
Protection and Management on Wintering Sites
Role of Federal Lands in Recovery Efforts
Coordination and Participation

Recovery Strategy

Part II: Recovery

Recovery Objective

Recovery Tasks

1. Manage breeding piping plovers and habitat to maximize survival and productivity.
2. Monitor and manage wintering and migration areas to maximize survival and recruitment into the breeding population.
3. Undertake scientific investigations that will facilitate recovery efforts.
4. Develop and implement public information and education programs.
5. Review progress towards recovery annually and revise recovery efforts as appropriate.

Part III: Implementation

Implementation Schedule

Appendices

Appendix A: Locations of Current and Potential Breeding Sites

Appendix B: Current and Potential Breeding Site Information

Appendix C: Summary of Current and Needed Breeding Site Management Activities

Appendix D: Summary of Off-Road Vehicle Use at Breeding Sites

Appendix E: Population Viability Analysis

Appendix F: Guidelines for the Use of Predator Exclosures to Protect Piping Plover Nests

Appendix G: Guidelines for Managing Recreational Activities in Piping Plover Breeding Habitat on the U.S. Atlantic Coast to Avoid Take under Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act

Appendix H: Guidelines for the Preparation and Evaluation of Conservation Plans for Atlantic Coast Piping Plover Pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) and 10(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act

Appendix I: Guidelines for Conducting Surveys for Piping Plovers in Atlantic Coast Wintering Habitat

Appendix J: Estimated Cost of U.S. Atlantic Coast Piping Plover Protection Activities During the 1993 Breeding Season

Appendix K: Known Piping Plover Wintering Sites on the Southern Atlantic and the Caribbean

Appendix L: Summary of Comments on Draft Revised Recovery Plan and Service Response

Literature Cited

Literature Cited

List of Figures

Figure 1: Current Breeding and Wintering Distribution of Piping Plovers in North America

Figure 2: Atlantic Coast Breeding Chronology

Figure 3: Estimated Population by Region, 1986-1995

Figure 4: Average Productivity by Region, 1988-1995

Figure 5: Distribution of Piping Plovers on Outer Cape Cod, 1988-1993

List of Tables

Table 1: Summary of Chick Mobility Data

Table 2: Summary of Chick Time Budget Data

Table 3: Summary of Data on Distances at which Piping Plovers React to Disturbance

Table 4: Summary of Atlantic Coast Piping Plover Population Estimates, 1986 to 1995

Table 5: Comparison of 1991 and 1994 Population Estimates Based on "Window" Census with Estimates Based on 1990 Census Methodologies

Table 6: Summary of Piping Plover Productivity Estimates for the U.S. Atlantic Coast, 1987-1995

Table 7: Recovery Task Outline

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Last updated October 2, 2002