Recovery Plan: Executive Summary

Current Status

The Atlantic Coast piping plover (Charadrius melodus) population breeds on coastal beaches from Newfoundland to North Carolina (and occasionally in South Carolina) and winters along the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina south, along the Gulf Coast, and in the Caribbean. Since being listed as threatened in 1986, the population has increased from approximately 800 pairs to almost 1350 pairs in 1995; however, most of the apparent increase between 1986 and 1989 is attributable to increased survey effort in two states, and the population increase between 1989 and 1995 has been very unevenly distributed. Since 1989, the New England subpopulation has increased 346 pairs, while the New York-New Jersey and the Southern (DE-MD-VA-NC) subpopulations gained 62 and 18 pairs respectively, and the Atlantic Canada subpopulation declined by 34 pairs. Substantially higher productivity rates have also been observed in New England than elsewhere in the population's range. Recovery of the Atlantic Coast piping plover population is occurring in the context of an extremely intensive protection effort now being implemented on an annual basis. Pressure on Atlantic Coast beach habitat from development and human disturbance is pervasive and unrelenting, and the species is sparsely distributed.

Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors

Piping plovers nest above the high tide line on coastal beaches, sandflats at the ends of sandspits and barrier islands, gently sloping foredunes, blowout areas behind primary dunes, sparsely vegetated dunes, and washover areas cut into or between dunes. Feeding areas include intertidal portions of ocean beaches, washover areas, mudflats, sandflats, wrack lines, and shorelines of coastal ponds, lagoons or salt marshes. Wintering plovers on the Atlantic Coast are generally found at accreting ends of barrier islands, along sandy peninsulas, and near coastal inlets.

Loss and degradation of habitat due to development and shoreline stabilization have been major contributors to the species' decline. Disturbance by humans and pets often reduces the functional suitability of habitat and causes direct and indirect mortality of eggs and chicks. Predation has also been identified as a major factor limiting piping plover reproductive success at many Atlantic Coast sites, and substantial evidence shows that human activities are affecting types, numbers, and activity patterns of predators, thereby exacerbating natural predation.

Recovery Objective

The primary objective of the revised recovery program is to remove the Atlantic Coast piping plover population from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants by: (1) achieving well-distributed increases in numbers and productivity of breeding pairs, and (2) providing for long-term protection of breeding and wintering plovers and their habitat.

Recovery Criteria

Delisting of the Atlantic Coast piping plover population may be considered when the following criteria have been met:

1. Increase and maintain for five years a total of 2,000 breeding pairs, distributed among four recovery units as follows: Atlantic Canada, 400 pairs; New England, 625 pairs; New York-New Jersey, 575 pairs; Southern (DE-MD-VA-NC), 400 pairs.
2. Verify the adequacy of a 2,000-pair population of piping plovers to maintain heterozygosity and allelic diversity over the long term.
3. Achieve five-year average productivity of 1.5 fledged chicks per pair in each of the four recovery units described in criterion 1, based on data from sites that collectively support at least 90% of the recovery unit's population.
4. Institute long-term agreements to assure protection and management sufficient to maintain the target populations and average productivity in each recovery unit.
5. Ensure long-term maintenance of wintering habitat, sufficient in quantity, quality, and distribution to maintain survival rates for a 2,000-pair population.

Actions Needed

1. Manage piping plover populations and breeding 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.

In furtherance of action 1, appendices to this plan include: (a) guidelines for managing recreational activities in piping plover breeding habitat to avoid direct mortality, harassment, and/or harm (Appendix G); and (b) guidelines for preparation and evaluation of permit applications for incidental take of piping plovers (Appendix H).

Estimated Costs (in thousands):

Costs beyond FY 3 will be determined as the recovery program proceeds.

Date of Recovery

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Last updated March 15, 2000