PROPOSED Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series
Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Canada
Piping Plover melodus subspecies
2021 1 Recommended citation: 2 3 Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2021. Recovery Strategy (Amended) and 4 Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies (Charadrius melodus melodus) in 5 Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment and 6 Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. viii + 124 pp. 7 8 9 10 Official version 11 The official version of the recovery documents is the one published in PDF. All 12 hyperlinks were valid as of date of publication. 13 14 Non-official version 15 The non-official version of the recovery documents is published in HTML format and all 16 hyperlinks were valid as of date of publication. 17 18 19 20 For copies of this recovery document, or for additional information on species at risk, 21 including the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) 22 Status Reports, residence descriptions, action plans, and other related recovery 23 documents, please visit the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry1. 24 25 26 27 Cover illustration: John Chardine, Environment Canada © 2010 28 29 30 Également disponible en français sous le titre 31 « Programme de rétablissement (modifié) et Plan d’action pour le Pluvier siffleur de la 32 sous-espèce melodus (Charadrius melodus melodus) au Canada [Proposition] » 33 34 35 © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of 36 Environment and Climate Change, 2021. All rights reserved. 37 ISBN 38 Catalogue no. 39 40 41 Content (excluding the illustrations) may be used without permission, with appropriate 42 credit to the source.
1 www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry.html Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
43 Preface 44 45 The federal, provincial and territorial government signatories under the Accord for the 46 Protection of Species at Risk (1996)2 agreed to establish complementary legislation and 47 programs that provide for effective protection of species at risk throughout Canada. 48 Under the Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA), the federal competent 49 ministers are responsible for the preparation of recovery strategies and action plans (for 50 species for which recovery has been deemed feasible) for species listed as Extirpated, 51 Endangered and Threatened species. They are also required to report on progress 52 within five years after the publication of the final document on the Species at Risk Public 53 Registry. 54 55 This document has been prepared to meet the requirements under SARA of both a 56 recovery strategy and an action plan. As such, it provides both the strategic direction for 57 the recovery of the species, including the population and distribution objectives for the 58 species, as well as the more detailed recovery measures to support this strategic 59 direction, outlining what is required to achieve the objectives. SARA requires that an 60 action plan also include an evaluation of the socio-economic costs of the action plan 61 and the benefits to be derived from its implementation. It is important to note that the 62 setting of population and distribution objectives and the identification of critical habitat 63 are science-based exercises and socio-economic factors were not considered in their 64 development. The socio-economic evaluation only applies to the more detailed recovery 65 measures. The recovery strategy and action plan are considered part of a series of 66 documents that are linked and should be taken into consideration together, along with 67 the COSEWIC status report. 68 69 The Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Parks 70 Canada Agency is the competent minister under SARA for the Piping Plover melodus 71 subspecies and has prepared this recovery strategy and action plan, as per sections 37 72 and 47 of SARA. To the extent possible, it has been prepared in cooperation with the 73 Provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and 74 Newfoundland and Labrador. It was developed in cooperation and consultation with the 75 Eastern Canadian Piping Plover Recovery Team, non-governmental organizations, 76 Indigenous organizations and other stakeholders as per section 39(1) and 48(1) of 77 SARA. 78 79 Success in the recovery of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of 80 many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions and 81 actions set out in this recovery strategy and action plan and will not be achieved by 82 Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Parks Canada Agency, or any other 83 jurisdiction alone. All Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing this 84 strategy and action plan for the benefit of Piping Plover melodus subspecies and 85 Canadian society as a whole.
2 www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-act-accord-funding.html#2
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
86 87 88 Implementation of this recovery strategy and action plan is subject to appropriations, 89 priorities and budgetary constraints of the participating jurisdictions and organizations. 90 91 The recovery strategy sets the strategic direction to arrest or reverse the decline of the 92 species, including identification of critical habitat to the extent possible. It provides all 93 Canadians with information to help take action on species conservation. When critical 94 habitat is identified, either in a recovery strategy or an action plan, SARA requires that 95 critical habitat then be protected. 96 97 In the case of critical habitat identified for terrestrial species including migratory birds 98 SARA requires that critical habitat identified in a federally protected area3 be described 99 in the Canada Gazette within 90 days after the recovery strategy or action plan that 100 identified the critical habitat is included in the public registry. A prohibition against 101 destruction of critical habitat under ss. 58(1) will apply 90 days after the description of 102 the critical habitat is published in the Canada Gazette. 103 104 For critical habitat located on other federal lands, the competent minister must either 105 make a statement on existing legal protection or make an order so that the prohibition 106 against destruction of critical habitat applies. 107 108 If the critical habitat for a migratory bird is not within a federal protected area and is not 109 on federal land, within the exclusive economic zone or on the continental shelf of 110 Canada, the prohibition against destruction can only apply to those portions of the 111 critical habitat that are habitat to which the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) 112 applies as per ss. 58(5.1) and ss. 58(5.2). 113 114 For any part of critical habitat located on non-federal lands, if the competent minister 115 forms the opinion that any portion of critical habitat is not protected by provisions in or 116 measures under SARA or other Acts of Parliament, or the laws of the province or 117 territory, SARA requires that the Minister recommend that the Governor in Council make 118 an order to prohibit destruction of critical habitat. The discretion to protect critical habitat 119 on non-federal lands that is not otherwise protected rests with the Governor in Council. 120 121 122
3 These federally protected areas are: a national park of Canada named and described in Schedule 1 to the Canada National Parks Act, The Rouge National Park established by the Rouge National Urban Park Act, a marine protected area under the Oceans Act, a migratory bird sanctuary under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 or a national wildlife area under the Canada Wildlife Act see ss. 58(2) of SARA.
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123 124 Acknowledgments 125 126 This recovery document was prepared by Julie McKnight (Environment and Climate 127 Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service (ECCC-CWS) – Atlantic Region) with 128 significant input from ECCC-CWS Atlantic and Quebec Region Biologists. Critical 129 Habitat maps were produced by Matt Mahoney (ECCC-CWS – Atlantic Region). 130 Acknowledgement and thanks are extended to other parties that provided advice and 131 input to help inform the development of this document including relevant Indigenous 132 Organizations and individuals, provincial and territorial governments, other federal 133 departments (e.g., PCA), landowners, citizens and stakeholders. Much thoughtful input 134 and advice was provided by the Eastern Canadian Piping Plover Recovery Team and 135 associated working groups. 136 137 138
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
139 Executive Summary 140 141 This recovery strategy updates and replaces the Recovery Strategy for the Piping 142 Plover (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Canada (Environment Canada 2012) which 143 was published as final on the Species at Risk Public Registry in August 2012. 144 145 Under Section 45 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), the competent Minister may 146 amend a recovery strategy at any time. This Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action 147 Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies (Charadrius melodus melodus) in 148 Canada is for the purposes of: 149 updating information in most sections of the Recovery Strategy for Piping 150 Plover (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Canada (Environment Canada 151 2012); especially the following sections: 152 o Recovery Feasibility Summary; 153 o Needs of Piping Plover; and 154 o Population and Distribution Objectives 155 updating and refining the Critical Habitat Section 7 of the Recovery 156 Strategy for Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Canada 157 (Environment Canada 2012) to provide clarity on the specific locations of 158 critical habitat; and 159 concurrently adding an action plan to the document based on the 160 amended recovery strategy and in turn meeting requirements of SARA s. 161 49. 162 163 In some cases, additional changes have been made to the Recovery Strategy 164 (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies (Charadrius 165 melodus melodus) in Canada (hereafter, “amended recovery document”) to align the 166 document with current guidelines and templates for recovery documents. 167 168 This amended recovery document is being posted on the Species at Risk Public 169 Registry for a 60-day comment period. At the time of final posting, the Recovery 170 Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 171 (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Canada will replace the 2012 Recovery Strategy for 172 Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Canada (Environment Canada 2012). 173 174 Piping Plover is a small, stocky shorebird that depends on its cryptic coloration to avoid 175 predators. The species only nests in North America and occurs in two populations in 176 Canada, each with subspecies status: the melodus subspecies breeds along the 177 Atlantic coast of Canada and the circumcinctus subspecies breeds inland, in the prairie 178 provinces and Great Lakes region. 179 180 This recovery document applies only to the melodus subspecies of Piping Plover. There 181 are unknowns regarding the feasibility of recovery for the species as presented in the 182 recovery feasibility summary section. In keeping with the precautionary principle, this 183 recovery strategy and action plan has been prepared as per section 41(1) of SARA, as 184 would be done when recovery is determined to be technically and biologically feasible.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
185 186 Piping Plover melodus subspecies, hereafter Piping Plover or plover, was listed on 187 Schedule 1 of SARA, at proclamation, in June 2003. In Quebec, Piping Plover is listed 188 as a threatened species according the Loi sur les espèces menacées ou vulnérables 189 (RLRQ, c E-12.01) (Act respecting threatened or vulnerable species) (CQLR, 190 c E-12.01). The species is listed as Endangered under provincial legislation in New 191 Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The Province of Prince 192 Edward Island is reviewing the status of species to establish its list of species at risk. 193 194 This document has been prepared to meet the requirements under SARA of both a 195 recovery strategy and an action plan. As such, it provides both the strategic direction for 196 the recovery of the species as well as the more detailed recovery measures to support 197 this strategic direction, outlining what is required to achieve the objectives. 198 199 Factors which directly threaten the survival of individuals include residential & 200 commercial development (housing and urban areas), human intrusions and disturbance 201 (e.g., motorized vehicles, beach users), problematic native species/diseases 202 (predators), natural system modifications (e.g., beach nourishment, shoreline 203 stabilization, beach cleaning or raking), pollution, climate change and severe weather 204 (e.g., storms and flooding) and energy production and mining (e.g., sand and beach 205 sediments). 206 207 The short-term population objectives are to achieve a minimum of 250 year-end pairs of 208 Piping Plover and an annual productivity of 1.65 chicks fledged per pair. Long-term, the 209 objectives are to increase to and maintain the population at 310 pairs; proportionally 210 represented in each province to meet historical estimates. 211 212 Broad strategies to be taken to address the threats to the recovery of Piping Plover are 213 presented in section 6.2: Recovery Planning Table and Implementation Schedule. An 214 implementation schedule is included as part of the action plan requirements (s. 49) and 215 prioritizes each recovery measure and delineates timelines. 216 217 Section 41(1)(c) of SARA requires that the recovery strategy include an identification of 218 the species’ critical habitat, to the extent possible, as well as examples of activities that 219 are likely to result in its destruction. Critical habitat is fully identified for Piping Plover in 220 this document to the extent possible given the best available information. 221 222 The direct and societal costs of implementing the recovery measures contained in this 223 document (as part of the action plan content) are expected to be low (between $0 and 224 $5 million) over the short term (five years) and will have limited socio-economic impact 225 and constraints to human land use. Indirect costs are expected to be minimal and 226 resulting benefits relate to the value of biodiversity to Canadians, ecosystem services, 227 and conservation of other species. 228 229
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
230 Recovery Feasibility Summary 231 232 Based on the following four criteria that Environment and Climate Change Canada uses 233 to establish recovery feasibility, there are unknowns regarding the feasibility of recovery 234 for Piping Plover melodus subspecies. In keeping with the precautionary principle, this 235 recovery document has been prepared as per section 41(1) of SARA, as would be done 236 when recovery is determined to be technically and biologically feasible. This recovery 237 strategy and action plan addresses the unknowns surrounding the feasibility of 238 recovery. 239 240 1. Individuals of the wildlife species that are capable of reproduction are available 241 now or in the foreseeable future to sustain the population or improve its 242 abundance. 243 Yes. In 2016, 174 pairs of Piping Plovers melodus subspecies were observed 244 in Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and insular 245 Newfoundland. 246 247 2. Sufficient suitable habitat is available to support the species or could be made 248 available through habitat management or restoration. 249 Yes. Nearly 200 beaches were used by breeding Piping Plovers melodus 250 subspecies between 1991 and 2016.Many sites accommodate more than 251 one pair of plovers per year. 252 253 3. The primary threats to the species or its habitat (including threats outside 254 Canada) can be avoided or mitigated. 255 Unknown. The Science & Technology Branch of Environment and Climate 256 Change Canada reviewed the species’ recovery program in 2013 257 (Gratto-Trevor et al. 2013) and determined that the most significant factors 258 affecting Piping Plovers melodus subspecies appear to relate to conditions 259 encountered in nonbreeding areas, particularly on wintering grounds. It is 260 unclear if threats during the nonbreeding areas (e.g., extreme weather 261 events) can be mitigated. 262 263 4. Recovery techniques exist to achieve the population and distribution objectives 264 or can be expected to be developed within a reasonable timeframe. 265 Yes. Agencies in Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, 266 Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador implement approaches similar 267 to those in other jurisdictions (e.g., habitat enhancement, control of 268 unleashed pets, motorized vehicle control) and these have resulted in 269 tremendous population increases elsewhere. Between 1991 and 2006, the 270 U.S. Atlantic coast population of plovers increased by 95%. The success of 271 similar programs elsewhere suggests that meeting population objectives is 272 feasible. Although conservation efforts elsewhere have achieved positive 273 results, Piping Plover melodus subspecies is considered to be management- 274 dependent on the Atlantic coast (USFWS 1996). Formal and informal 275 partnerships with industry, scientists, municipal governments,
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
276 federal/provincial governments, conservation organizations, property owners 277 and the public will help achieve the long-term conservation and recovery of 278 Piping Plover melodus subspecies. 279 280
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
281 Table of Contents 282 283 Preface ...... i 284 Acknowledgments ...... iii 285 Executive Summary ...... iv 286 Recovery Feasibility Summary ...... vi 287 1. COSEWIC Species Assessment Information ...... 1 288 2. Species Status Information ...... 1 289 3. Species Information ...... 2 290 3.1 Species Description ...... 2 291 3.2 Species Population and Distribution ...... 3 292 3.3 Needs of the Piping Plover ...... 5 293 4. Threats ...... 7 294 4.1 Threat Assessment ...... 7 295 4.2 Description of Threats ...... 9 296 5. Population and Distribution Objectives ...... 12 297 6. Broad Strategies and Recovery Measures to Meet Objectives ...... 13 298 6.1 Actions Already Completed or Currently Underway ...... 13 299 6.2 Recovery Planning Table and Implementation Schedule ...... 15 300 7. Critical Habitat ...... 19 301 7.1 Identification of the Species’ Critical Habitat ...... 19 302 7.2 Schedule of Studies to Identify Critical Habitat...... 22 303 7.3 Activities Likely to Result in the Destruction of Critical Habitat ...... 22 304 7.4 Scope of the Action Plan ...... 26 305 7.5 Proposed Measures to Protect Critical Habitat...... 26 306 8. Evaluation of Socio-economic Costs and Benefits ...... 27 307 8.1 Policy Baseline ...... 28 308 8.2 Socio-economic Profile and Baseline ...... 28 309 8.3 Socio-economic Costs of Implementing this Action Plan ...... 29 310 8.4 Benefits of Implementing this Action Plan ...... 30 311 8.5 Distributional Impacts ...... 31 312 9. Measuring Progress ...... 31 313 10. References ...... 33 314 Appendix A: Effects on the Environment and Other Species ...... 38 315 Appendix B: Summary of the Assessment of Research Needs ...... 39 316 Appendix C: Geographic Location of Areas Containing Critical Habitat ...... 41 318317
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319 1. COSEWIC* Species Assessment Information 320 Date of Assessment: November 2013
Common Name (population): Piping Plover - melodus subspecies
Scientific Name: Charadrius melodus melodus
COSEWIC Status: Endangered
Reason for Designation: Numbers of the eastern subspecies of this small shorebird remain extremely low and the population continues to decline, despite concerted conservation efforts. Threats from predation, human disturbance, and declines in habitat extent and quality also continue.
Canadian Occurrence: Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador
COSEWIC Status History: The species was considered a single unit and designated Threatened in April 1978. Status re-examined and designated Endangered in April 1985. In May 2001, the species was re-examined and split into two groups according to subspecies. The melodus subspecies was designated Endangered in May 2001 and November 2013.
321 * COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) 322 323 2. Species Status Information 324 325 Piping Plover melodus subspecies, hereafter Piping Plover or plover, is listed as 326 Endangered in Canada under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The 327 subspecies also occurs along the Atlantic coast of the United States, where it is listed 328 as Threatened under the United States’ Endangered Species Act. In Quebec, Piping 329 Plover melodus subspecies is listed as a threatened species according to the Loi sur les 330 espèces menacées ou vulnérables (RLRQ, c E-12.01) (Act respecting threatened or 331 vulnerable species) (CQLR, c E-12.01) and is listed as Endangered under provincial 332 legislation in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. 333 Prince Edward Island is currently reviewing the status of the species. In 2011, the 334 Canadian breeding range accounts for approximately 25% of thee global breeding 335 range (Elliott et al. 2015). 336
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
337 Table 1. Conservation ranks for Piping Plover melodus subspecies (NatureServe 2017) 338 COSEWIC G- Ranka N-Rankb S-Rankc Status Breeding occurrences: Quebec: S1B Piping Plover New Brunswick: S1B (Charadrius melodus Prince Edward Island: S1B melodus) G3T3 N3B Endangered Nova Scotia: S1B Insular Newfoundland: S1B
339 a G-Rank — Global Conservation Status Rank: G3 = species is vulnerable, T = status rank of subspecies (T3 = vulnerable). 340 b N-Rank — National Conservation Status Rank: N3B = breeding population within the nation is Vulnerable. 341 c S-Rank —sub-national (provincial or territorial) ranks (B = breeding): S1 = Critically Imperiled; S2 = Imperiled. 342 343 Despite active conservation programs throughout Atlantic Canada and Quebec, the 344 number of Piping Plover pairs declined more than 30% between 2006 and 2016 345 (Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), unpublished data). 346 347 348 3. Species Information 349 350 More detailed information about the species and its habitats is available in the status 351 report (COSEWIC 2013). 352 353 3.1 Species Description 354 355 Piping Plovers nest only in North America and occur in two populations in Canada, each 356 with subspecies status: the melodus subspecies breeds along the Atlantic coast and the 357 circumcinctus subspecies breeds inland, in the prairie provinces and Great Lakes 358 region. This recovery document applies only to the melodus subspecies. 359 360 Piping Plover is a small, stocky shorebird that depends on its cryptic coloration (adults, 361 chicks and eggs) to avoid predators. Their backs resemble the colour of dry sand with 362 plumage varying between light grey and pale brown. Their underparts are white and, in 363 breeding plumage, a black band runs completely or partially across the breast. They 364 have a second (also partial or complete) band across their forehead, between the eyes. 365 Their short bill is orange with a black tip. Adults weigh 43-63 g and are 17-18 cm long. 366 Piping Plovers are capable of breeding at one year of age. 367 368 Plovers normally arrive on the breeding grounds from the end of March to early May. 369 Nest initiation may occur any time after the birds arrive (but usually late May onwards) 370 until mid-July. Nests are only occasionally initiated after this time. Young may hatch 371 starting in late May or early June onwards, depending on when nesting was initiated. 372 Migration back to the wintering grounds begins in early to mid-July. The bulk of the 373 population has left Canada by early September. 374
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375 Adults normally produce a clutch of four eggs; however, fewer eggs may be produced, 376 often with re-nesting attempts. Young hatch after 26 to 28 days of incubation and are 377 able to fly after 25 to 28 days. Chicks are precocial 4 and usually leave the nest within 378 hours of hatching. Young plovers forage independently shortly after leaving the nest. 379 One brood is normally produced per year; however, re-nesting is possible if a clutch is 380 lost. The normal lifespan of birds once they reach adulthood is 8-11 years (Haig 1992). 381 382 383 3.2 Species Population and Distribution 384 385 Population numbers of Piping Plovers have fluctuated since the early 1900s when 386 uncontrolled hunting had greatly decreased numbers (Bent 1929). Populations began to 387 recover by about 1925 (Haig and Oring 1985) due to increased protection (e.g., 388 Migratory Birds Convention Acts in the United States and Canada). Numbers rose in the 389 1930s, but decreased again by 1945, due to increased recreational use of beaches and 390 other factors. Breeding populations continued to decline in Atlantic Canada, Quebec 391 and the Atlantic Coast of the United States (Cairns and McLaren 1980) until 392 management efforts were initiated in the 1980s. Since then, numbers have increased 393 significantly along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, but not in Atlantic Canada 394 and Quebec. 395 396 The first complete survey for breeding Piping Plovers was conducted as part of the 397 International Piping Plover Census in 1991. Since 1991, and most consistently since 398 2000, annual surveys of breeding habitat are conducted. Beaches are surveyed at the 399 beginning of the breeding season (during a standard window count in June), and those 400 with plovers are visited regularly throughout the breeding season. Year-end counts are 401 the total number of pairs observed at the end of the breeding season. Between 2000 402 and 2016, numbers of pairs have varied between a high of 272 pairs in 2002 and a low 403 of 174 pairs in 2016 (Figure 1). The population has remained relatively stable, albeit at a 404 low level, since 2012.
4 A young bird hatched in an advanced state and able to feed itself almost immediately
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
405 406 Figure 1. Piping Plovers (year-end pairs) by province observed during International 407 Piping Plover Census years. 408 409 Plovers nests in coastal areas of Québec (Magdalen Islands), New Brunswick (the Gulf 410 of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait coast), Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia 411 (southern Atlantic coast, beaches along the Northumberland Strait and Cape Breton 412 Island) and insular Newfoundland (Figure 2). 413 414 415
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416 417 Figure 2. Breeding distribution of Piping Plovers (1991-2016) 418 419 Piping Plovers winter primarily on the Atlantic coast of the United States from North 420 Carolina to Florida, along the Gulf coast of Florida and on islands of the West Indies 421 (Gratto-Trevor et al. 2012). 422 423 3.3 Needs of the Piping Plover 424 425 All species need food, water, shelter and space to reproduce and rest to survive and 426 thrive. Piping Plover food items primarily include marine worms, insects (e.g., fly larvae, 427 beetles), tiny crustaceans, mollusks and other small marine invertebrates. Foraging 428 areas must be in close proximity to nest sites so flightless chicks can access them. 429 Plovers obtain water from their food and by drinking (often while bathing). Piping 430 Plovers need shelter from harsh weather (e.g., wind, blowing sand, rain, excessive heat 431 from the sun), predators and humans. In general, Piping Plovers use sand, gravel, or 432 cobble-dominated open ocean-front beaches, pocket beaches and barriers (islands, 433 beaches, spits and bars) in marine coastal areas for most life processes. 434
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
435 Breeding habitat5 436 Piping Plover generally selects the widest section of a beach for nesting. Plovers rarely 437 nest in areas of pure sand and dense dune grass, but instead select sandy areas with 438 sparse vegetation or gravel, pebble, cobble, shell fragments, wrack (dry 439 macroalgae/seaweed normally deposited by storms or by tidal or wave action above the 440 mean high tide mark), or other debris to provide camouflage (Cohen et al. 2009, 441 Flemming et al. 1992). The level of human disturbance may influence site suitability. 442 443 Early successional habitat, most often free of dense vegetation, is preferred for 444 breeding. Natural ecological processes such as ice scour, storms and extreme high 445 tides promote the maintenance of habitat in early succession. The tips of sandspits or 446 sites near channels are particularly vulnerable to the extreme natural events that keep 447 areas free of vegetation and redistribute nesting substrate onto beach areas and are 448 preferred nesting locations. These habitats are important since they allow adults and 449 young access to foraging sites along ephemeral pools, lagoons, or flats where rich food 450 resources are located. The maintenance of natural ecological processes along coastal 451 areas is therefore essential for conservation of breeding habitat. 452 453 Foraging habitat 454 Adults and young feed in marine and bayside foreshore6 and backshore7 zones above 455 and below the mean high water mark including along foredunes8 and beach ridges9. 456 Ephemeral pools and areas of wrack are excellent foraging areas. Adult birds are able 457 to gain access to foraging sites beyond the immediate breeding or brood-rearing area 458 and are often seen flying across channels or gullies to use nearby foraging areas. Sites 459 used by young must be located within walking distance of the nest because young are 460 flightless until approximately 25 days of age. Young birds may travel a considerable 461 distance to gain access to prime foraging areas. 462 463 Resting habitat 464 Piping Plovers generally rest (i.e., roost) in areas adjacent to nest sites and/or in close 465 proximity to foraging habitats. Plovers use clumps of vegetation, driftwood, wrack and 466 large rocks for shelter from harsh weather and rely on natural elements to camouflage 467 their appearance and blend in with their surroundings to avoid predators and humans. 468 Resting habitat must provide refuge from the highest tides. 469
5 This includes habitat used for pair formation, nest building, copulation, egg-laying, incubation and hatching. 6 The area of the shore between high- and low-water marks. 7 The area of the shore lying between the mean high tide mark and the line of permanent (often dense) vegetation. This area is dry under normal conditions and affected by waves only during extreme storms. 8 The seaward-most vegetated sand dune formed by wind-blown sediments along the backshore of beaches. 9 An elevated ridge along the beach consisting of sand or other beach material and is linear and parallel to the shoreline. Beach ridges are primarily formed by wave action usually at, or above normal spring high tide level.
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470 Brood-rearing habitat 471 Brood-rearing habitat provides the necessary elements for both foraging and resting 472 mentioned above and must be present within an appropriate distance of breeding sites 473 because young are flightless until approximately 25 days of age. Broods are known to 474 move a considerable distance from their nest location. Observations from various 475 studies in the United States show that broods may move several hundred metres from 476 the nest location (USFWS 1996). Preliminary information suggests that this is also the 477 case in Atlantic Canada and Quebec (CWS, unpublished data). In Quebec, Piping 478 Plovers were observed using between 67 and 762 m of shoreline for feeding and brood 479 rearing (Shaffer et Laporte 1989; Shaffer et Laporte 1992). Enhanced survival rates of 480 young plovers were found in areas with access to interior or bayside flats (Cohen et al. 481 2009, Loegering and Fraser 1995). Access to these sites can be created by waves that 482 sometimes overwash barriers during winter storms. Young plovers rely on brooding by 483 adult birds for warmth during cold and shelter from heat; however, older juveniles that 484 spend less time being brooded may increasingly utilize shelter (see resting habitat 485 above). Young plovers also rely on sparsely vegetated dunes as refuges during high 486 tides or to escape from potential predators and human disturbance. Densely vegetated 487 dunes are ineffective since young birds have limited mobility and cannot penetrate 488 these areas. 489 490 491 4. Threats 492 493 4.1 Threat Assessment 494 495 The threats considered in the original recovery strategy for the species (Environment 496 Canada 2012) are still valid and are reproduced below. Terminology has been revised 497 to follow the threat lexicon developed by the International Union for Conservation of 498 Nature-Conservation Measures Partnership (2006) (IUCN-CMP). Threats are ranked by 499 level of concern and the table below provides some insight as to which threats should 500 be targeted for the recovery of Piping Plover. 501
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
502 Table 2. Threat assessment table Level of Causal Threata Extent Occurrence Frequency Severityc Concernb Certaintyd 1. Residential & Commercial Development 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas High Widespread Continuous Continuous High High 3. Energy Production & Mining High (local) 3.2 Mining & Quarrying (e.g., mining sand and Low Localized Historic Continuous Low (range- Low beach sediments) wide) 6. Human Intrusions & Disturbance Historic, 6.1 Recreational Activities (e.g., motorized High Widespread Current, Seasonal High High vehicles and other beach users) Anticipated 7. Natural System Modifications 7.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications (e.g., beach Historic, nourishment, shoreline stabilization, beach High Localized Current, Continuous Moderate Medium cleaning or raking) Anticipated 8. Invasive & Other Problematic Species, Genes & Diseases 8.2 Problematic Native Species/Diseases Historic, (e.g., American Crow, Red Fox, Common Raven, High Widespread Current, Seasonal High High gulls, Merlin, Raccoon, Coyote, Striped Skunk, Anticipated Short-tailed Weasel, American Mink, dogs, cats) 9. Pollution High (local) 9.2 Industrial & Military Effluents Medium Widespread Anticipated One-time Low (range- High
wide) 11. Climate Change & Severe Weather Historic, 11.4 Storms & Flooding Medium Widespread Current, Seasonal Moderate High Anticipated 503 a Classification of Threats adopted from IUCN-CMP (Salafsky et al. 2008) 504 b Level of Concern: signifies that managing the threat is of (high, medium or low) concern for the recovery of the species, consistent with the population 505 and distribution objectives. This criterion considers the assessment of all the information in the table). 506 c Severity: reflects the population-level effect (High: very large population-level effect, Moderate, Low, Unknown). 507 d Causal certainty: reflects the degree of evidence that is known for the threat (High: available evidence strongly links the threat to stresses on population 508 viability; Medium: there is a correlation between the threat and population viability e.g. expert opinion; Low: the threat is assumed or plausible). Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
509 510 4.2 Description of Threats 511 512 Current and anticipated issues and activities that directly threaten the survival of Piping 513 Plover are detailed below. The threats may not be distributed equally across the range 514 and the threat level may vary within provinces and jurisdictions. 515 516 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas 517 Coastal developments (e.g. residential or commercial developments, construction of 518 wharves and jetties) may physically destroy or alter the function of a site and render it 519 unsuitable for plovers. 520 521 6.1 Recreational Activities (e.g., motorized vehicles and other beach users) 522 Many human activities result in disturbance to Piping Plovers. Disturbance generally 523 causes changes in normal breeding, foraging, resting and/or brood-rearing behaviour. 524 Human disturbance includes pedestrian traffic, unleashed pets, camping and campfires, 525 sunbathing, collection (of driftwood, shells or wrack), horseback riding, fishing, kite 526 flying, kite buggying, fireworks and motorized vehicle traffic (e.g., cars, trucks, off-road 527 and all-terrain vehicles). 528 529 The degree of severity, frequency of disturbance and proximity to breeding habitat and 530 foraging areas within any specific component of the habitat will dictate how plovers are 531 affected. Severe disturbance (e.g., vehicular traffic, unleashed pets, horseback riding, 532 fireworks, camping and campfires, kite buggying) affects site use, increases the 533 likelihood of breeding failure and potentially results in adult and young mortality. 534 Moderate and minor disturbance factors (e.g., walking, swimming, sunbathing, 535 collecting driftwood or other natural beach components, fishing, flying kites) increase 536 the likelihood of lower productivity due to increased energy expenditures to avoid the 537 activity or a decrease in efficiency in conducting normal activities. Even though some 538 activities such as walking on the beach may be considered low disturbance, nests are 539 highly camouflaged and pedestrians may inadvertently trample them. There have also 540 been several confirmed instances of children removing chicks from breeding beaches. 541 542 Operation of off-road vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, kite buggies, or other vehicles on 543 beaches used by plovers may result in chick mortality, destruction of the eggs or nest 544 and, in some cases, nest abandonment (Ryan 1996, Flemming et al. 1988, Loegering 545 and Fraser 1995, Melvin et al. 1994). Compaction of substrate caused by vehicle traffic 546 may reduce invertebrate abundance and therefore local prey availability (Wolcott and 547 Wolcott 1984). 548 549 A number of predators benefit from association with humans (Prugh et al. 2009, 550 Gratto-Trevor and Abbott 2011), which can result in higher populations in areas 551 frequented by people, and many are attracted to garbage left behind at beaches. 552 Domestic and feral pets also prey on plover chicks and adults and destroy nests.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
553 7.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications (e.g., beach nourishment, shoreline 554 stabilization, beach cleaning or raking) 555 Beach nourishment10 projects may be beneficial and/or detrimental to plovers, 556 depending on a number of factors. The reuse of clean, appropriately-sized and 557 otherwise compatible, sediments (e.g., from a nearby dredging project) to increase the 558 width or length of a beach or dune may be minimally disruptive to natural sediment 559 transport processes and to plovers if project proposals are well designed (e.g., timing 560 allows prey resources time to recover, slope of beach is maintained, sediments are not 561 compacted, associated disturbance is minimized) (Haney et al. 2007). Poorly designed 562 beach nourishment projects may negatively affect Piping Plover habitat and their prey 563 (e.g., if provisioned sediment grain size is not compatible with beach sediments, 564 disturbance is high, compaction of sediments occurs, slope is too steep and prevents 565 natural beach processes over time, timing is incompatible for prey resources to recover) 566 Wooldridge et al. 2016). 567 568 Invasive vegetation, wrack removal and shoreline stabilization activities (e.g., planting 569 dune vegetation, placing Christmas trees or snow fencing, armoring with riprap and 570 construction of seawalls, groins, jetties) all contribute to cumulative beach habitat loss. 571 Shoreline stabilization11 blocks the natural processes by which coastal habitats respond 572 to storms, while accelerating sea level rise further reduces beach suitability for Piping 573 Plovers (USFWS 2012). Continuing loss and degradation of habitat is one of the key 574 threats to Piping Plovers in their non-breeding range (USFWS 2012). 575 576 Beach wrack provides important resting, shelter, camouflage and food for plover adults 577 and chicks. They may be negatively impacted by the removal of wrack by raking 578 activities (Dugan et al., 2003). Beach raking may also lead to the destabilization of the 579 beach and loss of sand (erosion). However, with proper planning and timing and without 580 disturbing plovers, the removal of human-created debris by hand removes human food 581 items that could be attractive to predators and also removes debris which plovers could 582 become entangled in (e.g., monofilament line). 583 584 8.2 Problematic Native Species/Diseases (e.g., American Crow, Red Fox, Common 585 Raven, gulls, Merlin, Raccoon, Coyote, Striped Skunk, Short-tailed Weasel, 586 American Mink, dogs, cats) 587 Depredation has been identified as one of the most important factors limiting 588 populations across the North American breeding range (Goossen et al. 2002). Current 589 predation rates appear to be higher than they were in the past probably as a result of 590 changes in human activity and land-use practices Current estimates from Atlantic 591 Canada and Quebec suggest that hatch success is approximately 57% and predators
10 Beach nourishment (also referred to as beach replenishment or “soft” armouring or “soft” stabilization), is the addition of large quantities of sand to the shore to increase the beach width or quality, and/ or to secure the shore against erosion. 11 Shoreline stabilization (also known as armouring or “hard” stabilization) refers to any method of altering the natural beach system to stabilize it.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
592 are confirmed or suspected in at least one-third of all nests lost (CWS, unpublished 593 data). There are many known or suspected predators of adults, chicks and eggs, 594 including American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Common 595 Raven (Corvus corax), gulls (Larus spp.), Merlin (Falco columbarius), Raccoon 596 (Procyon lotor), Coyote (Canis latrans), Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis), Short-tailed 597 Weasel (Mustela erminea), American Mink (Neovison vison), dogs and cats. Human 598 activities and land use practices have resulted in artificially high predator populations 599 (Raithel 1984 in Melvin et al. 1991). These predators may hunt or opportunistically take 600 adult Piping Plovers, chicks, or eggs. Increasing predation pressure can have a 601 negative impact on populations of Piping Plover (Burger 1987, USFWS 1996). 602 603 9.2 Industrial & Military Effluents 604 Pollutants such as oil pose a risk to foraging adults and chicks. Oil affects birds through 605 physical contact, physiological changes and acute toxic poisoning. Oiled birds may be 606 affected by the disruption in the natural water-repellency of feathers, affecting their 607 thermo-regulatory capacity (Leighton 1994), or there may be reduced hatching success 608 if oil is transferred to the eggs during incubation (McGill and Richmond 1979, Lewis and 609 Malecki 1984). Ingestion of toxic compounds while preening also commonly occurs. 610 Ingested toxins can lead to severe internal damage and organ failure (Peakall et al. 611 1983). Three cases of oiled adult Piping Plovers have been recorded in Canada 612 (Amirault-Langlais et al. 2007). 613 614 Oil spills not only have the potential to impact the birds and their habitat but also their 615 invertebrate prey. The greatest impact may be experienced by flightless chicks which 616 are unable to access alternative foraging grounds. 617 618 Several oil spills have affected Piping Plovers in the United States. There is a similar 619 risk along the coastline in Canada. 620 621 11.4 Storms & Flooding 622 Extreme weather events (e.g., hurricanes, flooding, storms) may cause localized 623 erosion and loss of habitat. Conversely, when unimpeded by coastal development or 624 activities required for maintenance of infrastructures, severe weather events may create 625 new habitat through accretion/deposition of sand and other sediments. Severe weather 626 may also maintain the early successional stage habitat required for breeding. 627 628 Extreme high tides may flood nests above the mean high water mark. This can result in 629 considerable nest loss if high tides coincide with the peak breeding season. Long 630 periods of intense rain following hatching can decrease chick survival rates. Hurricanes, 631 periods of cold weather and storms may contribute to adult mortality. 632 633
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
634 5. Population and Distribution Objectives 635 636 Short-term population objective 1 637 Achieve and maintain a minimum of 250 year-end pairs of Piping Plover. This reflects 638 maintenance of the population at levels observed in 1991 (the first year of complete 639 survey coverage – see Figure 1). 640 641 Short-term population objective 2 642 Achieve and maintain an annual productivity greater than 1.65 chicks fledged per 643 territorial pair. This is the minimum productivity rate calculated to maintain the 644 population at its current level (Calvert 2004). 645 646 Long-term population and distribution objectives 647 Increase the population, and maintain it for the long-term12, to a minimum of 648 310 year-end pairs; proportionally represented in each province (as per Table 3) to 649 meet historical maximum estimates. 650 651 Table 3. Long-term population and distribution objectives for Piping Plover. 652 Province Population 653 objective (pairs)654 Québec 55 655 656 New Brunswick 105 657 Prince Edward Island 60 658 Nova Scotia 60 659 Newfoundland and Labrador 30 660 Total 310 661 662 663 Short-term and long-term objectives are specified because there is a high uncertainty 664 about whether the long-term objective can be achieved. Increases observed since 665 listing in the United States (i.e., nearly tripling of population size from 1986 to 2008 666 (USFWS 2009)) suggest that reaching long-term objectives in Atlantic Canada and 667 Quebec should be feasible. Long-term population objectives for each province 668 (identified in Table 3) are based on the maximum number of pairs documented in each 669 province between 1991 and 2016 and, where known, closely approximate historical 670 estimates (e.g., Cairns and McLaren 1980). 671 672
12 Over at least three consecutive international censuses, which occur every five years.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
673 6. Broad Strategies and General Approaches to Meet 674 Objectives 675 676 6.1 Actions Already Completed or Currently Underway 677 678 Recovery programs for Piping Plover were initiated in 1985, with many conservation 679 techniques having been developed and implemented since this time to address 680 human-induced and natural threats. A National Recovery Plan for Piping Plover 681 (Goossen et. al. 2002) outlining the approach recommended to recover the population 682 was published in 2002. That recovery plan expired in 2004. Approaches to conservation 683 that have been implemented to help achieve the recovery objectives include targeted 684 outreach (beach visitors), public education, volunteer and landowner involvement in 685 protecting breeding plovers, protection of key breeding habitats through acquisition and 686 minimizing human disturbance (e.g., symbolic fencing13, signage, beach closures in 687 National Parks of Canada), reduction of predation (e.g., beach clean-up programs, litter 688 management and localized predator management), increased enforcement in coastal 689 areas, research on factors affecting the species and its habitat (including in 690 non-breeding areas), the discouragement of beach developments and population 691 monitoring. 692 693 Recent federal and provincial cooperation for endangered species conservation via 694 legislation and other measures has enhanced efforts to protect the subspecies and its 695 habitat. In Quebec, Piping Plover is listed as a threatened species according to the Loi 696 sur les espèces menacées ou vulnérables (RLRQ, c E-12.01) (Act respecting 697 threatened or vulnerable species) (CQLR, c E-12.01). The species is listed as 698 Endangered under provincial legislation in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and 699 Newfoundland and Labrador. The Province of Prince Edward Island is reviewing the 700 status of species to establish its list of species at risk. 701 702 Substantive involvement on the part of many agencies occurs every year to protect the 703 species. The Eastern Canadian Piping Plover Recovery Team and Working Group meet 704 annually to discuss progress made during the previous year and to plan future efforts. 705 The team includes representatives from CWS (Atlantic and Québec regions) of 706 Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Parks Canada Agency (PCA), the 707 five provincial wildlife agencies and non-governmental organizations. Numerous 708 non-governmental organizations have had much success in protecting sensitive coastal 709 features and Piping Plover: Attention FragÎles of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Nature NB, 710 Island Nature Trust, Bird Studies Canada, Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission Inc., 711 Halifax Field Naturalists, the Nova Scotia Bird Society, the Canadian Parks and 712 Wilderness Society, Intervale Associates, Codroy Valley Area Development 713 Association, Nova Scotia Nature Trust and Nature Conservancy Canada. 714
13 This measure refers to signage, with or without string or rope, used only to inform people that access is forbidden and to deter behaviour.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
715 Environmental assessment reviews of projects that may pose a risk to plovers are 716 conducted frequently. Identification of measures to mitigate potential negative impacts 717 of projects has been an important activity to ensure the maintenance of habitat. 718 Measures are recommended that ensure the risk to breeding plovers is eliminated or 719 reduced, while also addressing public safety issues. 720 721
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
722 6.2 Recovery Planning Table and Implementation Schedule 723 724 The recovery measures outlined below are arranged by both the broad strategies to recover the species and the general 725 descriptions of research and management approaches. 726 727 Table 4. Implementation Schedule
Approach # Recovery Measure Prioritya Threats or concerns addressed Timeline Broad Strategy: Reduce human disturbance Ensure the continuation of Piping Plover conservation 1 projects throughout the breeding and nonbreeding range of High Ongoing Piping Plover (e.g., Guardian programs). Encourage volunteer and community engagement in Piping Plover conservation projects (e.g., training, volunteer toolkit) 2 High Ongoing throughout the breeding and nonbreeding range of Piping 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas Plover. 6.1 Recreational Activities (e.g., Outreach and Stewardship Educate and engage beach visitors, landowners, local motorized vehicles and other beach business owners, tourism industry experts, youth, coastal users) 3 High Ongoing industries and all-terrain vehicle groups in conservation activities that benefit Piping Plovers. Regularly evaluate outreach and stewardship programs to 4 Medium Ongoing assess their effectiveness. Implement appropriate techniques for reducing human 5 disturbance to breeding Piping Plovers (e.g., signage and High 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas Ongoing symbolic fencing). 6.1 Recreational Activities (e.g., Compliance promotion 6 Encourage compliance with existing laws and regulations. High motorized vehicles and other beach Ongoing Work with enforcement agencies to address threats and users) 7 High Ongoing priorities. Broad Strategy: Ensure enough suitable habitat to meet long-term population objectives Develop and implement Piping Plover “best management practices” and wherever possible, integrate them into coastal 8 High 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas Ongoing Address plovers in planning and management strategies throughout the 7.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications comprehensive coastal breeding and nonbreeding range of Piping Plover. (e.g., beach nourishment, shoreline planning and management Engage in existing coastal planning and management stabilization, beach cleaning or strategies initiatives at provincial, municipal and site scales, identify 9 Medium raking) Ongoing regions where no such initiatives exist and encourage their development.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
Approach # Recovery Measure Prioritya Threats or concerns addressed Timeline Determine appropriate protection measures for habitat Protect habitat 10 throughout Piping Plover’s breeding and nonbreeding range, High Ongoing and work towards implementation. Inform coastal landowners, land managers and developers about the role and value of natural coastal processes and 11 the negative impacts of dwellings, boardwalks and other High Ongoing structures very near or in dunes, as well as erosion control structures. Outreach and Stewardship Mitigate negative impacts of development by providing 12 High Ongoing project alternatives. Discourage beach cleaning or raking efforts that remove 13 natural elements such as macroalgae, eel grass, driftwood, High Ongoing cobble and other natural debris from plover habitat. 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas Provide input to project proposals through federal and 7.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications Consider plovers in provincial governments, as well as local planning authorities (e.g., beach nourishment, shoreline 14 High Ongoing environmental assessments to consider project implications/impacts on the species and stabilization, beach cleaning or its habitat. raking) 9.2 Industrial & Military Effluents 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas 7.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications Explore options for habitat management, where warranted, (e.g., beach nourishment, shoreline As Enhance habitat 15 to optimize breeding potential in areas where suitable Low stabilization, beach cleaning or necessary protected habitat is limited. raking) 11.4 Storms & Flooding Broad Strategy: Reduce predation Appropriate use of recovery Evaluate population-level impacts of management 16 High Ongoing techniques techniques. 8.2 Problematic Native Work in cooperation with federal, provincial and municipal Species/Diseases (predators) Waste management 17 park and land managers to ensure effective waste Medium Ongoing management programs at plover beaches. Summarize the impact of predation on Piping Plover and 8.2 Problematic Native As Predator management 18 Medium review predator management techniques. Species/Diseases (predators) necessary
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
Approach # Recovery Measure Prioritya Threats or concerns addressed Timeline Broad Strategy: Address key knowledge gaps to recovery Facilitate partnerships and opportunities to undertake 19 research on key knowledge gaps that will lead to recovery. High Ongoing See Appendix B for details. Research Implement a research program to determine movements and Ongoing 20 areas used by nonbreeding birds, and to better understand High thru to 2024 factors affecting survival throughout their range. Knowledge gaps Partner with governments, non-government organizations Form and maintain 21 and academics to understand and address nonbreeding High Ongoing partnerships range issues. Work with environmental assessment review practitioners to Evaluate environmental 22 complete follow-up evaluations regarding the effectiveness High Ongoing assessments of proposed mitigation. Broad Strategy: Monitor the population
23 Conduct annual counts of breeding birds. High Annually Census the population throughout the breeding and Every 5 24 nonbreeding range every five years as part of the High Count adults years International Piping Plover Census. Provide training and mentoring (where necessary) to When 25 standardize monitoring efforts and survey known Piping High necessary Plover beaches. Monitor and calculate productivity for every pair in southern Knowledge gaps Nova Scotia and a minimum of 70 pairs (ideally 100 pairs) in Measure productivity 26 High Annually the Gulf of St. Lawrence region distributed representatively throughout the area. Monitor availability and suitability of habitat every five years Every 5 27 High as part of the International Piping Plover Census. years Evaluate habitat Identify and document threats to Piping Plovers and their 28 High Ongoing habitat on the breeding and nonbreeding grounds. Broad Strategy: Minimize impacts of adverse weather conditions Ensure sufficient high-quality habitat is maintained to Maintain habitat 29 Medium 11.4 Storms & Flooding Ongoing minimize the overall impact of negative weather events. On a case-by-case basis and when feasible, reduce impacts When Mitigate nest flooding 30 of flooding by using appropriate management tools (e.g., Low 11.4 Storms & Flooding necessary sandbagging and nest translocation).
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
Approach # Recovery Measure Prioritya Threats or concerns addressed Timeline Broad Strategy: Minimize impacts of poorly understood mortality factors Oil spill contingency Liaise with the Regional Environmental Emergencies Team 31 Low 9.2 Industrial & Military Effluents Ongoing planning (e.g., provide data, input and report oiled birds).
Consider threats related to toxic chemicals and react where Remain vigilant for 32 warranted by collecting and analyzing specimens (eggs, Low 9.2 Industrial & Military Effluents Ongoing population-level threats deceased or incapacitated adults and/or chicks)
728 a “Priority” reflects the degree to which the broad strategy contributes directly to the recovery of the species or is an essential precursor to an approach that contributes to the recovery 729 of the species.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
730 6.2.1 Monitoring 731 732 Monitoring measures for Piping Plover were reviewed by the Science & Technology 733 Branch of Environment Canada in 2013 (Gratto-Trevor et al. 2013). Recommendations 734 for monitoring the recovery of the species and its long-term viability were provided. All 735 monitoring protocols are currently followed by Piping Plover stewardship organizations, 736 ECCC, PCA and provincial counterparts. Specifically, the review recommended that: 737 738 a survey of all potential breeding habitat continue to be conducted as part of 739 the international Piping Plover Census every five years; 740 productivity be monitored annually for: 741 o 70 - 100+ pairs in the Gulf region (distributed in a representative 742 way across Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, 743 northern Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador); and 744 o All pairs (30+) in the southern Nova Scotia region; and 745 a mark-recapture study be implemented to determine movements and areas 746 used by nonbreeding birds, and to better understand factors affecting adult 747 and juvenile survival in both breeding and nonbreeding areas. 748 749 750 7. Critical Habitat 751 752 Section 41 (1)(c) of SARA requires that recovery strategies include an identification of 753 the species’ critical habitat, to the extent possible, as well as examples of activities that 754 are likely to result in its destruction. 755 756 Critical habitat for Piping Plover is based on habitat occupancy and habitat suitability 757 and is fully identified for Piping Plover in this document, to the extent possible, given the 758 best available information. Additional critical habitat may be added in the future if new 759 information supports the inclusion of areas beyond those currently identified (e.g., 760 additional sites occupied in response to creation of habitat by winter storms, ice scour, 761 tidal surges and other natural or anthropogenic events). 762 763 Critical habitat was fully identified for Piping Plover in the original recovery strategy with 764 data encompassing 1991-2010. One site was removed from those identified in the 765 original recovery strategy because it did not meet habitat occupancy criteria and as a 766 result, the site is no longer identified as critical habitat. This recovery document contains 767 new critical habitat (i.e., new sites were added as a result of findings during inventories 768 conducted from 2011-2016) for the species and replaces critical habitat identified in the 769 original recovery strategy (Environment Canada 2012). 770 771 7.1 Identification of the Species’ Critical Habitat 772 773 Critical habitat for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies is identified as all areas of 774 suitable habitat (Table 5) within the defined 1 x 1 grid squares (C-3 - 86). Suitable 775 habitat relates to areas possessing a specific set of biophysical attributes required for
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
776 Piping Plover’s life processes as summarized in Table 5. Note that not all attributes in 777 Table 5 must be present in order for an area to be identified as critical habitat. If the 778 area is capable of supporting Piping Plover, it is considered critical habitat for the 779 species, even though some of the associated attributes might be missing. 780 781 Table 5. The area and associated biophysical attributes required for Piping Plover to 782 carry out its life processes. 783 Life Life process Area or type of site Biophysical attributes stage sand, gravel and/or cobble backshore14, foredunes15 substrate with elevated areas safe reproduction: pair (including wave washover from highest tides; formation, nest features and wind-formed gently sloping foredune (< 9% building, copulation, blowouts) and beach Boyne et al. 2014); adults, egg-laying, ridges16 of Atlantic coastal sparsely vegetated17; and eggs, incubation, hatching; beaches (e.g., ocean-front relatively wide backshore; young growth: brood- beaches, pocket beaches) with one or more natural elements rearing, fledging; and that provide shelter and/or rest: sleeping, barriers (beaches, islands, camouflage (e.g., small clumps of roosting spits and bars). vegetation, stones, logs, driftwood, pebbles, dried macroalgae, shells).
foreshore18, backshore, presence of suitable invertebrate foredunes (including wave prey resources; washover features and wind- sand, gravel, or cobble substrate; adults, formed blowouts) and beach with one or more natural elements nutrition young ridges of Atlantic coastal that enhance foraging potential beaches and barriers in close (e.g., dried macroalgae, driftwood, proximity to breeding sites. ephemeral pools, tidal flats, sparsely vegetated dunes). 784 785 7.1.1 Information and methods used to identify critical habitat 786 787 The first complete survey for breeding Piping Plovers was conducted as part of the 788 International Piping Plover Census in 1991. Since then, sites are surveyed at the 789 beginning of the breeding season (during a standard window count in June), and those
14 The area of the shore lying between the mean high tide mark and the line of permanent (often dense) vegetation. This area is dry under normal conditions and affected by waves only during extreme storms. In the case of barriers, this applies to both the landward and seaward shores. 15 The seaward-most vegetated sand dune formed by wind-blown sediments along the backshore of beaches. 16 An elevated ridge along the beach consisting of sand or other beach material and is linear and parallel to the shoreline. Beach ridges are primarily formed by wave action usually at, or above normal spring high tide level. 17 having areas containing continuous vegetation density <20% within at least 25 m2 (Gieder et al. 2014) 18 The area of the shore between high- and low-water marks. In the case of barriers, this applies to both the landward and seaward shores.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
790 with plovers are visited regularly throughout the breeding season. On the Magdalen 791 Islands in Quebec, these surveys include georeferencing each nest. 792 793 Atlantic Canada 794 Nest location data from 1991 - 2016 is not available for plovers in Atlantic Canada. In 795 the absence of this data, any beach occupied by at least one breeding pair of Piping 796 Plovers in at least one year between 1991 and 2016 where suitable habitat criteria 797 (Table 5) are met is identified as critical habitat under SARA. The 1x1 km grid 798 representations were drawn to encompass entire stretches of ocean-front and pocket 799 beaches and the entirety of barriers (islands, beaches, spits and bars) to accommodate 800 the shifting nature of coastal habitats. These areas are necessary to meet the long-term 801 population and distribution objectives. 802 803 Quebec 804 In Quebec, the Magdalen Islands contain over 300km of beaches. To reflect what areas 805 are required to meet the species’ long-term objective, sites are further refined by habitat 806 use using available nest location data from 1991-2016. The 1x1 km grid representations 807 were superimposed on known nest locations, including a 500 m distance on either side 808 of each nest to capture adjacent areas of suitable habitat (Table 5) necessary for 809 feeding and brood rearing. The 500 m is based on both field observations and published 810 data (e.g., Loegering 1992, USFWS 1996). In Quebec, Piping Plovers were observed 811 using between 67 and 762 m of shoreline for feeding and brood rearing (Shaffer et 812 Laporte 1989; Shaffer et Laporte 1992). Melvin et al. (1994) observed chicks at 813 distances ranging between 10 and 900 m from their nests and in Ontario, 500 m of 814 contiguous suitable habitat on either side of a breeding pair is used to approximate the 815 areas used by Piping Plovers during their breeding cycle (Environment Canada. 2013). 816 817 In both regions, suitable habitat (Table 5) within the 1x1 km grid representations is 818 identified as critical habitat under SARA and provides enough habitat to meet the long- 819 term population and distribution objectives. 820 821 Due to the dynamic nature of coastal ecosystems, critical habitat mapping is 822 represented by 1 x 1 km grid squares where the habitat occupancy criteria (above) and 823 suitable habitat (Table 5) are met. Grid representation is created based on the site scale 824 (1 x 1 km) and best characterizes the extent and nature of critical habitat. In Quebec, 825 New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador 826 there are 163, 313, 223, 180 and 75 grid square units, respectively, identified as critical 827 habitat (totaling 954 grid square units). These are presented in Appendix C. 828 829 Breeding pairs in non-critical habitat 830 Although sometimes used by Piping Plovers, nests in clearly unsuitable habitats that do 831 not contain the biophysical attributes are not identified as critical habitat. Unsuitable 832 features such as existing anthropogenic infrastructure (e.g., existing small craft 833 harbours, wharves, boardwalks, parking lots), dredge spoils and steep embankments 834 within a site are not necessary for the survival or recovery of the species and are
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
835 therefore not critical habitat. These sites likely do not contribute to recovery because 836 some key attribute is often missing (e.g., access to foraging areas for chicks). 837 838 In addition, two sites in Atlantic Canada that met the occupancy criteria were not 839 included in the identification of critical habitat since the sites were considered too small 840 and isolated to successfully support a breeding pair and their young (K. Francis and 841 S. Abbott 2017, personal communication). Similarly, 4 sites (2 in Atlantic Canada and 842 2 in Quebec) met the occupancy criteria but were not in an area supporting the 843 necessary biophysical attributes as described in Table 5 since these nest sites were 844 below the high water mark (outside of the area defined as the backshore) and likely not 845 viable (S. Mader and F. Shaffer 2017, personal communication). 846 847 Although these known nest sites are not identified as critical habitat under SARA, the 848 sections 32 and 33 (general prohibitions) of SARA apply to the species and its 849 residence. 850 851 More information on critical habitat to support protection of the species and its habitat 852 may be requested by contacting Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Recovery 853 Planning section at: [email protected]. 854 855 7.2 Schedule of Studies to Identify Critical Habitat 856 857 The information currently available is sufficient to fully identify critical habitat under 858 SARA; therefore, a schedule of studies is not required. 859 860 7.3 Activities Likely to Result in the Destruction of Critical Habitat 861 862 Understanding what constitutes destruction of critical habitat is necessary for the 863 protection and management of critical habitat. Destruction is determined on a case by 864 case basis. Destruction would result if part of the critical habitat were degraded, either 865 permanently or temporarily, such that it would not serve its function when needed by the 866 species. Destruction may result from a single or multiple activities at one point in time or 867 from the cumulative effects of one or more activities over time. Activities described in 868 Table 6 include those likely to cause destruction of critical habitat for the species; 869 however, destructive activities are not limited to those listed.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
870 Table 6: Examples of activities likely to result in the destruction of critical habitat 871 Description of Activity Description of Effect Details of Effect Use of any motorized vehicle Wrack may be crushed into the Related IUCN-CMP Threat: 6.1 Recreational Activities (e.g., off-road, all-terrain, motorcycles).) sand, making it unavailable as (e.g., off-road vehicles). shelter and/or camouflage, or as foraging substrate; This activity would likely result in the destruction of critical Sediments may be compacted and habitat if it occurred within the bounds of critical habitat. invertebrate prey within them may be killed; This activity could cause destruction at all times of the year. Dangerous habitat may be created. Vehicle ruts appear to provide shelter and/or camouflage but flightless plovers may become trapped in ruts and may be run over by vehicles; Vegetation can be damaged by the regular use of paths causing dune blow-outs and increased erosion. This may alter the width, slope and length of the beach . Coastal development in critical habitat Natural landward migration Related IUCN-CMP Threat: 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas or in closely associated areas processes (e.g., overwash and sand (e.g., construction of cottages or homes). (e.g., construction of homes, vacation migration) are impeded by homes and associated infrastructure development; This activity would likely result in the destruction of critical such as roads, boardwalks and trails) Development may physically destroy habitat if it occurred within the bounds of, or very near, or alter breeding habitat and/or the critical habitat. function of a site This activity could cause destruction at all times of the year.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
Description of Activity Description of Effect Details of Effect Beach nourishment (also referred to as Natural beach dynamics may be Related IUCN-CMP Threat: 7.3 Other Ecosystem beach replenishment or “soft” impeded; Modifications (e.g., beach nourishment, shoreline armouring or “soft” stabilization) Beach slope may be altered; stabilization, beach cleaning or raking). Substrate provided may be unsuitable (e.g., inappropriate grain This activity would likely result in the destruction of critical size or sediment mix); habitat if it occurred within the bounds of critical habitat. The grain size of introduced substrate can influence how fast the This activity could cause destruction at all times of the year. beach erodes, leading to changes in beach slope and shape; Of note in exceptional circumstances, the reuse of clean; Non-native vegetation species may appropriately-sized and otherwise compatible; sediments be introduced; (e.g., from a nearby dredging project) to increase the width Natural elements that provide shelter or length of a beach or dune may be minimally disruptive to and/or camouflage may be removed/ natural sediment transport processes and to plovers if buried or if provided, may be project proposals are well designed (e.g., timing allows prey unsuitable; resources time to recover, slope of beach is maintained, Invertebrate prey densities may be sediments are not compacted, associated disturbance is reduced minimized). Shoreline stabilization (also known as Natural processes by which coastal Related IUCN-CMP Threat: 1.1 Housing & Urban Areas. armouring or “hard” stabilization) habitats respond to storms may be impeded while foreshore erosion is This activity would likely result in the destruction of critical accelerated; habitat if it occurred within the bounds of critical habitat. Non-native vegetation species may be introduced; Outside of critical habitat, this activity may likely result in the Natural elements that provide shelter destruction of adjacent critical habitat if natural processes by and/or camouflage may be which coastal habitats respond to storms are impeded. removed/buried or if provided, may be unsuitable; This activity could cause destruction at all times of the year. Amount and quality of intertidal foraging habitat for shorebirds may be reduced; Natural transport of sand may be restricted leading to erosion of shorelines elsewhere
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
Description of Activity Description of Effect Details of Effect Sand mining (removal of sand, gravel Substrate and natural elements that Related IUCN-CMP Threat: 3.2 Mining & Quarrying (e.g., and/or cobble substrate) provide shade and/or camouflage sand and beach sediments). may be removed; Beach slope may be altered This activity would likely result in the destruction of critical habitat if it occurred within the bounds of critical habitat.
This activity could cause destruction at all times of the year. Beach cleaning or raking (e.g., Natural elements that enhance Related IUCN-CMP Threat: 7.3 Other Ecosystem mechanical raking, sifting/screening) foraging potential and provide shade Modifications (e.g., beach nourishment, shoreline and/or camouflage may be removed stabilization, beach cleaning or raking).
This activity would likely result in the destruction of critical habitat if it occurred within the bounds of critical habitat.
This activity could cause destruction at all times of the year.
Of note, removing garbage or other human-created debris by hand would not likely result in the destruction of critical habitat and should generally be positive for Piping Plovers as long as disturbance to the birds is minimized. Deliberate or accidental discharge of oil Invertebrate prey may be killed; Related IUCN-CMP Threat: 9.2 Industrial & Military and toxic chemicals Functionality of foreshore and Effluents. backshore of beaches for breeding, resting and/or foraging may be The effects of this activity would likely result in the removed depending on timing and destruction of critical habitat; recognizing that the spills may location; occur within or outside the bounds of critical habitat. All biophysical attributes of critical habitat may be impacted by clean-up This activity could cause destruction at all times of the year. operations 872
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
873 7.4 Scope of the Action Plan 874 875 The original recovery strategy for the Piping Plover in Canada was posted on the 876 Species at Risk Registry in 2012 (Environment Canada 2012) and is replaced and 877 amended by this document. This recovery document (amended recovery strategy and 878 action plan) should be considered along with The Multi-species Action Plan for 879 Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada (Parks Canada Agency 880 2017), The Multi-species Action Plan for Kouchibouguac National Park of Canada and 881 associated National Historic Sites of Canada (Parks Canada Agency 2016b), The 882 Multi-species Action Plan for Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada (Parks 883 Canada Agency 2016c) and The Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National 884 Park (Parks Canada Agency 2016) 885 886 As in the original recovery strategy (Environment Canada 2012), this amended recovery 887 strategy and action plan includes critical habitat in three PCA National Parks 888 (Kouchibouguac National Park of Canada, Prince Edward Island National Park of 889 Canada and Kejimkujik National Park of Canada Seaside). The critical habitat identified 890 in these National Parks is included in the scope of this action plan. However, additional 891 critical habitat was identified by PCA in Gros Morne National Park through their 892 park-based Action Plan in 2016 and therefore it is not included in the scope of this 893 action plan but the document should also be considered. 894 895 7.5 Proposed Measures to Protect Critical Habitat 896 897 As part of the species’ action plan, the information below outlines proposed measures to 898 be taken to protect critical habitat for Piping Plover. 899 900 Measures Proposed to Protect Critical Habitat on Federal Lands 901 Gazette statements are available on the Species at Risk Public Registry (the Registry). 902 There are currently three gazette statements published on the Registry. In 903 January 2013 and in December 2017, two gazette statements associated with the 904 original recovery strategy (Environment Canada 2012) were posted on the Registry and 905 describe a number of federally protected areas. An additional gazette statement 906 associated with the Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National Park of Canada 907 (Parks Canada Agency 2016) describing critical habitat at Western Brook Beach in 908 Gros Morne National Park of Canada was posted on the Registry in June 2016. An 909 additional gazette statement is required for Pointe de l'Est National Wildlife Area to 910 complete the description of federal properties with critical habitat. 911 912 Critical habitat for Piping Plover also occurs on federal lands that are not federally 913 protected areas. Under the provisions of subsection 58(5) of SARA, the competent 914 minister shall, after consulting with every other competent minister, make an order for 915 any portion of critical habitat that is not legally protected by provisions in or measures 916 under SARA or any other Act of Parliament. If the minister does not make the order, the 917 minister shall include in the Registry a statement setting out how the critical habitat or
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918 portions of it are legally protected. ECCC will continue to work with applicable federal 919 departments to ensure that critical habitat on other federal lands is protected. 920 921 Measures Proposed to Protect Critical Habitat on Non-federal Lands 922 With regard to the portions of critical habitat on non-federal lands, ECCC will assess the 923 protection currently in place. This involves first working with the Governments of 924 Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and 925 Labrador to determine which provincial laws and legal instruments are in place to 926 prevent destruction of critical habitat. If there are gaps in the protection of critical 927 habitat, provisions or measures in place under SARA or other federal legislation will be 928 reviewed to determine whether they prevent destruction of critical habitat. Conservation 929 measures, including stewardship initiatives, that contribute to preventing critical habitat 930 destruction will also be considered and monitored. The laws, legal agreements and 931 conservation measures in place that protect critical habitat will be monitored for efficacy 932 at least every five years. 933 934 If it is determined that any portions of critical habitat are not protected, and steps are 935 being taken to protect those portions, those steps will be communicated via the Registry 936 through the reports referred to in section 63 of SARA. 937 938 939 8. Evaluation of Socio-economic Costs and Benefits 940 941 SARA requires that an action plan include an evaluation of the socio-economic costs of 942 the action plan and the benefits to be derived from its implementation (SARA 49(1)(e), 943 2002). This evaluation addresses only the incremental socio-economic costs of 944 implementing this action plan from a national perspective as well as the social and 945 environmental benefits that would occur if the action plan were implemented in its 946 entirety, recognizing that not all aspects of its implementation are under the jurisdiction 947 of the federal government. It does not address cumulative costs of species recovery in 948 general nor does it attempt a cost-benefit analysis. Its intent is to inform the public and 949 to guide decision making on implementation of the action plan by partners. 950 951 The protection and recovery of species at risk can result in both benefits and costs. The 952 Act recognizes that “wildlife, in all its forms, has value in and of itself and is valued by 953 Canadians for aesthetic, cultural, spiritual, recreational, educational, historical, 954 economic, medical, ecological and scientific reasons” (SARA 2002). Self-sustaining and 955 healthy ecosystems with their various elements in place, including species at risk, 956 contribute positively to the livelihoods and the quality of life of all Canadians. A review of 957 the literature confirms that Canadians value the preservation and conservation of 958 species in and of themselves. Actions taken to preserve a species, such as habitat 959 protection and restoration, are also valued. In addition, the more an action contributes to 960 the recovery of a species, the higher the value the public places on such actions 961 (Loomis and White 1996, Fisheries and Oceans Canada 2008). Furthermore, the 962 conservation of species at risk is an important component of the Government of 963 Canada’s commitment to conserving biological diversity under the International
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
964 Convention on Biological Diversity. The Government of Canada has also made a 965 commitment to protect and recover species at risk through the Accord for the Protection 966 of Species at Risk. The specific costs and benefits associated with this action plan are 967 described below. 968 969 8.1 Policy Baseline 970 971 The policy baseline consists of the protection under SARA for Piping Plover, along with 972 other legislation that may provide direct or indirect habitat protection for the species. 973 The provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and 974 Newfoundland and Labrador have access to many legislative, regulatory and 975 management tools for the conservation and stewardship of Piping Plover. 976 For example, 977 in Quebec: Threatened or Vulnerable Species Act, Conservation and 978 Development of Wildlife Act, Environment Quality Act, Provincial Parks 979 Regulations, Off-Highway Vehicles Act and regulations; 980 in New Brunswick: Endangered Species Act, Off-Road Vehicle Act, Clean 981 Environment Act, Crown Lands and Forests Act, Parks Act regulations; 982 in Prince Edward Island: Environmental Protection Act, Off-Highway Vehicle Act 983 Regulations; 984 in Nova Scotia: Endangered Species Act, Beaches Regulations, Off-Highway 985 Vehicles Act, Environment Act, Wildlife Act, Provincial Parks Regulations; and 986 in Newfoundland and Labrador: Endangered Species Act, Environmental 987 Protection Act, Wild Life Regulations, Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain 988 Vehicles Regulations, Provincial Parks Regulations. 989 990 The baseline also includes any recovery measures already undertaken, such as those 991 carried out by recovery practitioners funded by federal or provincial species at risk 992 programs, in-kind contributions by recovery biologists and/or universities. 993 994 The critical habitat located on federally protected areas (i.e., National Parks, National 995 Wildlife Areas and a Migratory Bird Sanctuary) is (or will be) protected under 996 section 58(3) of SARA. 997 998 8.2 Socio-economic Profile and Baseline 999 1000 Key stakeholders that may be impacted by the implementation of this action plan 1001 include federal and provincial landowners/ land managers, municipal planners and 1002 planning authorities, private landowners and beach managers, private land conservation 1003 organizations, those in the fishing and tourism industries, all-terrain vehicle associations 1004 and users, academics focused on shorebirds, environmental emergencies teams and 1005 beach visitors and users. 1006 1007 Two Indigenous groups were involved with past Piping Plover initiatives in Prince 1008 Edward Island and Nova Scotia because their lands are in close proximity to beaches
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1009 identified as critical habitat. Two Indigenous groups are actively involved with Piping 1010 Plover conservation initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador. 1011 1012 Many recovery measures will be implemented with the assistance of federal or 1013 provincial species at risk funding programs, in-kind contributions by recovery biologists, 1014 or research by universities. 1015 1016 8.3 Socio-economic Costs of Implementing this Action Plan 1017 1018 Implementation of the recovery measures identified in Table 4 may generate direct 1019 costs as well as societal costs. These costs are reported in this section only if they 1020 result in incremental expenditures or constraints in land uses (including foregoing or 1021 modifying current and future activities) compared to measures already in place (see 1022 ongoing measures in Table 4). 1023 1024 The direct and societal costs of implementing the recovery measures contained in this 1025 action plan are expected to be low (between $0 and $5 million) over the short term 1026 (five years). These anticipated costs include salary, volunteer time, travel, materials, 1027 equipment and other related costs. Indirect costs are those resulting from implementing 1028 the action plan, which may have an impact on various stakeholders. 1029 1030 There are a number of activities currently taking place at sites where Piping Plovers 1031 breed including beach recreation (e.g., pedestrian traffic, sunbathing, camping and 1032 campfires, kite buggies and surfing and unleashed pets) and off-road vehicle (ORV) 1033 use. In Newfoundland and Labrador, ORV use on beaches is a legal activity unless 1034 otherwise designated by a ministerial directive. Ministerial directives are now in place for 1035 most critical habitat sites, but not all sites. On the Magdalen Islands in Quebec, ORV 1036 use on beaches during the Piping Plover breeding season is illegal, except where an 1037 off-road trail is located. It is assumed that ORV use will be restricted on lands identified 1038 as critical habitat during the Piping Plover breeding season (May-August), resulting in 1039 an impact to ORV users. Restrictions on other recreational activities may be required to 1040 protect breeding plovers and their habitat. 1041 1042 Coastal development activities such as operation and maintenance of wharves, 1043 dredging of small craft harbours, jetties, creation of erosion control structures and 1044 activities associated with cottages/homes may occur in areas on, or near, Piping Plover 1045 critical habitat. Coastal development activities may need to be regulated through 1046 federal, provincial and municipal processes if they are likely to destroy critical habitat. 1047 For example, dredging occurs regularly in harbour entrances and channels to allow 1048 local fishers access to the open seas. In a small number of cases this occurs on or near 1049 Piping Plover critical habitat. Dredging activities usually occur in early spring, coinciding 1050 with the arrival of Piping Plovers and the species’ breeding season. As a result, 1051 modifications to dredging operations may be required at some small craft harbours. 1052 1053 Other coastal development activities, such as shoreline stabilization, may be impacted 1054 as a result of the protection of critical habitat. However, there may be ways to mitigate
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1055 activities to prevent the destruction of critical habitat. At this time, specific development 1056 activities and any modifications that may be required are unknown, and therefore it is 1057 difficult to estimate the impact. 1058 1059 8.4 Benefits of Implementing this Action Plan 1060 1061 Value of Biodiversity to Canadians 1062 Biodiversity is essential for healthy ecosystems, human health, prosperity, security and 1063 well-being. For these reasons, globally, society invests between US$ 8B and US$ 10B 1064 annually in biodiversity conservation (TEEB 2008). 1065 1066 Canadians derive many benefits from biodiversity including recreational, aesthetic, 1067 educational and cultural benefits, as well as ecological goods and services essential to 1068 human survival. Care for the environment is consistently ranked as one of Canadian’s 1069 top priorities in public opinion polls19. A 2011 opinion poll found that three-quarters of 1070 Canadian respondents feel that preserving natural areas and the diversity of native 1071 plant and animal life in Canada is important to them20. 1072 1073 The total value of species at risk includes non-consumptive-use values (such as 1074 recreation, spiritual/cultural, research and education), indirect-use values (value of the 1075 ecological role of a species in an ecosystem) and non-use values (i.e., preserving the 1076 benefits of nature for future generations)21. Implementing the recovery measures of this 1077 action plan will have a positive impact on society. The direct value of recovering these 1078 species, for the preservation or the enhancement of biodiversity, is not easily estimated. 1079 1080 Eco-tourism and Cultural Values 1081 Eco-tourism is the fastest-growing area of the tourism industry (Mastny 2001). In 2004, 1082 this market grew three times faster than the industry as a whole and the World Tourism 1083 Organization estimates that global spending on eco-tourism is increasing by 20% a 1084 year, about six times the industry-wide rate of growth (TEEB 2008). In 1996, the 1085 Importance of Nature to Canadians Survey estimated that 6.2% of Canadians 1086 (1.5 million) watched, photographed, studied, or fed wildlife and spent close to $488M 1087 on these activities. There may be an increase in eco-tourism activity, as a result of 1088 achieving the population and distribution objectives for Piping Plover, which would then 1089 lead to spin-offs to local business and enhanced cultural value of local communities. 1090 1091 Protection of Other Species 1092 Efforts to protect plover critical habitat will benefit other species of flora and fauna 1093 including these Species at Risk: Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), Gulf of St. Lawrence
19 Canada’s Fourth National Report to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 2010. Available online http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ca/ca-nr-04-en.pdf Accessed December 3, 2010. 20 Ipsos Reid Opinion Poll “Nine in Ten (87%) Canadians Say That When Connected to Nature They Feel Happier.” Released January 7, 2011, www.ispsos.ca 21 Non-use values include bequest value (satisfaction of knowing that future generations will have access to nature’s benefits), altruist value (satisfaction of knowing that other people have access to nature’s benefits) and existence value (satisfaction of knowing that a species or ecosystem exists).
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1094 Aster (Symphyotrichum laurentianum), “Ipswich” Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis 1095 princeps) and Beach Pinweed (Lechea maritima). Activities within this action plan may 1096 lead to positive impacts for rufa Red Knot, Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster, “Ipswich” sparrow 1097 and the Beach Pinweed and may decrease the direct cost of future conservation and 1098 protection actions for these species. 1099 1100 Ecosystem Services 1101 Sand dune systems act as a natural coastal defence against erosion, waves and 1102 flooding and buffer against extreme weather events (Spurgen 1998). They also provide 1103 other important ecosystem services including water filtration and purification, nutrient 1104 cycling and water storage in dune aquifers (Defeo et al. 2009). 1105 1106 8.5 Distributional Impacts 1107 1108 Piping Plovers occur on federal, provincial and private lands and it is expected that 1109 responsibility for the species’ recovery will be shared amongst those landowners as well 1110 as all beach users. Implementation of this action plan will require contributions from, 1111 and collaboration among, various levels of government, non-governmental 1112 organizations, universities, individuals and others. Non-governmental organizations are 1113 active in Piping Plover conservation where the species occurs, and an approach of this 1114 action plan is to foster cooperative relationships with landowners and others to maintain 1115 critical habitat. 1116 1117 1118 9. Measuring Progress 1119 1120 The performance indicators presented below provide a way to define and measure 1121 progress toward achieving the population and distribution objectives. 1122 1123 New information may be integrated to reflect new knowledge, challenges and 1124 opportunities. An evaluation of the recovery strategy will be based upon the 1125 performance measures listed below. 1126 1127 Annually, success of the recovery strategy implementation will be measured against the 1128 following performance indicators: 1129 The population is increased to 250 pairs; 1130 Productivity target of 1.65 chicks fledged per territorial pair is achieved 1131 1132 Over three consecutive international censuses, which occur every five years, success of 1133 the recovery strategy implementation will be measured against the following 1134 performance indicators: 1135 The population is increased to 310 pairs 1136 The population distribution is unchanged from the 1991 International Census 1137 1138 The competent minister must report on the implementation of the recovery strategy 1139 (section 46 of SARA) and action plan (section 55 of SARA) and the progress towards
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1140 meeting its objectives within five years. Reporting on implementation of the action plan, 1141 under section 55 of SARA, will be done by assessing progress towards implementing 1142 broad strategies. Reporting on the ecological and socio-economic impacts of the action 1143 plan, under section 55 of SARA, will be done by assessing the results of monitoring the 1144 recovery of the species and its long-term viability and by assessing the implementation 1145 of the action plan. 1146 1147 1148
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1149 10. References 1150 1151 Amirault-Langlais, D.L., P.W. Thomas, and J. McKnight. 2007. Oiled Piping Plovers 1152 (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Eastern Canada. Waterbirds 30(2): 271-274.
1153 Bent, A. C. 1929. Life histories of North American shorebirds. U.S. National Museum, 1154 Washington, D.C.
1155 Boyne, A. W., D. L. Amirault-Langlais, and A. J. McCue. 2014. Characteristics of Piping 1156 Plover habitat in the Canadian maritime provinces. Northeastern Naturalist 1157 21:164-173.
1158 Burger, J. 1987. Physical and social determinants of nest-site selection in piping plovers 1159 in New Jersey. Condor 89: 811-818.
1160 Cairns, W., and I. McLaren. 1980. Status of the Piping Plover on the East Coast of 1161 North America. American Birds 34: 206-208.
1162 Calvert, A. 2004. Demographic modeling of populations of the Piping Plover Charadrius 1163 melodus in Atlantic Canada and implications for conservation planning. Contract 1164 report to Canadian Wildlife Service (Atlantic Region), Environment Canada, Sackville, 1165 N.B. 41 pp.
1166 Cohen J.B., Houghton L.M., and J.D. Fraser. 2009. Nesting density and reproductive 1167 success of piping plovers in response to storm- and human-created habitat changes. 1168 Wildlife Monographs 173:1-24.
1169 COSEWIC. 2013. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Piping Plover 1170 circumcinctus subspecies (Charadrius melodus circumcinctus) and the melodus 1171 Subspecies (Charadrius melodus melodus) in Canada. Committee on the Status of 1172 Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xiv + 39 pp. 1173 (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm).
1174 Defeo, D., A. McLachlan, D.S. Schoeman, T.A. Schlacher, J. Dugan, A. Jones, 1175 M. Lastra, and F. Schapini. 2009. Threats to sandy beach ecosystems: A review. 1176 Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 81: 1-12.
1177 Dugan, J. E., D. M. Hubbard, M. D. McCrary, and M. O. Pierson. 2003. The response of 1178 macrofauna communities and shorebirds to macrophyte wrack subsidies on exposed 1179 sandy beaches of southern California. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 1180 58S: 133–148.
1181 Elliott-Smith, E., Bidwell, M., Holland, A.E., and Haig, S.M., 2015, Data from the 2011 1182 International Piping Plover Census: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 922, 296 p., 1183 http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ds922
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1184 Environment Canada. 2012. Recovery Strategy for the Piping Plover (Charadrius 1185 melodus melodus) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. 1186 Environment Canada, Ottawa. v + 29 pp.
1187 Environment Canada. 2013. Action Plan for the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus 1188 circumcinctus) in Ontario. Species at Risk Act Action Plan Series. Environment 1189 Canada, Ottawa. iii + 20 pp.
1190 Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2008. Estimation of the Economic Benefits of Marine 1191 Mammal Recovery in the St. Lawrence Estuary. Policy and Economics Regional 1192 Branch, Quebec.
1193 Flemming, S.P., R.D. Chiasson, P.C. Smith, P.J. Austin-Smith, and R.P. Bancroft. 1988. 1194 Piping Plover status in Nova Scotia related to its reproductive and behavioural 1195 responses to human disturbance. Journal of Field Ornithology 59(4): 321-330.
1196 Flemming, S.P., R.D. Chiasson, and P.J. Austin-Smith. 1992. Piping Plover nest site 1197 selection in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Journal of Wildlife Management 1198 56: 578-583.
1199 Gieder, K., S. Karpanty, J. Fraser, D. Catlin, B. Gutierrez, N. Plant, A. Turecek, and 1200 E. Thieler. 2014. A Bayesian network approach to predicting nest presence of the 1201 federally threatened piping plover (Charadrius melodus) using barrier island features. 1202 Ecological Modelling 276:38–50. ‐ 1203 Goossen, J.P., D.L. Amirault, J. Arndt, R. Bjorge, S. Boates, J. Brazil, S. Brechtel, 1204 R. Chiasson, G.N. Corbett, F.R. Curley, M. Elderkin, S.P. Flemming, W. Harris, 1205 L. Heyens, D. Hjertaas, M. Huot, B. Johnson, R. Jones, W. Koonz, P. Laporte, 1206 D. MacAskill, R.I.G. Morrison, S. Richard, F. Shaffer, C. Stewart, L. Swanson, and 1207 E. Wiltse. 2002. National Recovery Plan for the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus). 1208 National Recovery Plan No. 22. Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife. Ottawa. 1209 47 pp.
1210 Gratto-Trevor, C., G.J. Robertson, and C.A. Bishop. 2013. Scientific Review of the 1211 Recovery Program for Piping Plover (melodus subspecies) in Eastern Canada. 1212 Environment Canada, Ottawa. 97 pp.
1213 Haig, S. M. and L. W. Oring. 1985. The distribution and status of the Piping Plover 1214 throughout the annual cycle. J. Field Ornithol. no. 56:334-345.
1215 Haig, S.M. 1992. Piping Plover. In The Birds of North America, No. 2 (A. Poole, 1216 P. Stettenheim, and F.Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; 1217 Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists’ Union.
1218 Haney, R., L. Kouloheras, V. Malkoski, J.Mahala, and Y. Unger. 2007. Beach 1219 Nourishment: MassDEP’s Guide to Best Management Practices for Projects in 1220 Massachusetts. 31pp.
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1221 Leighton, F.A. 1994.The toxicity of petroleum oils to birds: an overview. Pages 10-22 in 1222 Wildlife and Oil Spills: Response, Research and Contingency Planning. L . Frink, 1223 I.C. Ball-Wier, and C. Smith (Editors). Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research. Wilmington, 1224 Delaware.
1225 Lewis, S.J., and R.A. Malecki. 1984. Effects of oiling on Larid productivity and 1226 population dynamics. Auk 101: 584-592.
1227 Loegering, J.P. 1992. Piping Plover breeding biology, foraging ecology and behavior on 1228 Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland. MS thesis. Virginia Polythenic 1229 Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. 247p.
1230 Loegering, J.P., and J.D. Fraser. 1995. Factors affecting Piping Plover chick survival in 1231 different brood-rearing habitats. Journal of Wildlife Management 59(4): 646-655.
1232 Loomis, J.B., and D.S. White. 1996. Economic benefits of rare and endangered species: 1233 Summary and meta-analysis. Ecological Economics, 18: 197-206.
1234 Mastny, L. 2001. Traveling Light: New Paths for International Tourism. World Watch 1235 Paper 159.
1236 McGill, P.A., and M.E. Richmond. 1979. Hatching success of Great Black-backed Gull 1237 eggs treated with oil. Bird-Banding 50: 108-113.
1238 Melvin, S.M., C.R. Griffin, and L. MacIvor. 1991. Recovery strategies for Piping Plovers 1239 in managed coastal landscapes. Coastal Management 19: 21-34.
1240 Melvin, S.M., A. Hecht, and C.R. Griffin. 1994. Piping Plover mortalities caused by 1241 off-road vehicles on Atlantic Coast beaches. Wildlife Society Bulletin 22: 409-414.
1242 NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web 1243 application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available: 1244 http://www.natureserve.org/explorer [accessed: September 2017]
1245 Parks Canada Agency. 2016a. Multi-species Action Plan for Gros Morne National Park 1246 of Canada [Final]. Species at Risk Act Action Plan Series. Parks Canada Agency, 1247 Ottawa. iii + 19 pp.
1248 Parks Canada Agency. 2016b. Multi-species Action Plan for Kouchibouguac National 1249 Park of Canada and associated National Historic Sites of Canada [Final]. Species at 1250 Risk Act Action Plan Series. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa. iii + 20 pp.
1251 Parks Canada Agency. 2016c. Multi-species Action Plan for Prince Edward Island 1252 National Park. Species at Risk Act Action Plan Series. Parks Canada Agency, 1253 Ottawa.iv + 16 pp.
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1254 Parks Canada Agency. 2017. Multi-species Action Plan for Kejimkujik National Park and 1255 National Historic Site of Canada. Species at Risk Act Action Plan Series. Parks 1256 Canada Agency, Ottawa. v + 28 pp.
1257 Peakall, D.B., D.S. Miller, and W.B. Kinter. 1983. Toxicity of crude oils and their 1258 fractions to nestling Herring Gulls. 1. Physiological and biochemical effects. Marine 1259 Environmental Research 8: 63-71.
1260 Prugh, L.R., C.J. Stoner, C.W. Epps, W.T. Bean, W.J. Ripple, A.S. Laliberte, and 1261 J.S. Brashares. 2009. The rise of the mesopredator. BioScience 59(9):779–791. 1262 doi:10.1525/bio.2009.59.9.9
1263 Ryan, J. 1996. A plover on the run. A review of the effects of human disturbance and 1264 off-road vehicles on the Atlantic Coast population of the Piping Plover (Charadrius 1265 melodus) and other shore nesting birds. Report prepared for the Massachusetts 1266 Audubon Society. 31 pp.
1267 Salafsky, N., D. Salzer, A.J. Stattersfield, C. Hilton-Taylor, R. Neugarten, 1268 S.H.M. Butchart, B. Collen, N. Cox, L.L. Master, S. O’Connor, and D. Wilkie. 2008. 1269 A Standard Lexicon for Biodiversity Conservation: Unified Classifications of Threats 1270 and Actions. Conservation Biology, 22: 897–911.
1271 Shaffer, F. et P. Laporte. 1989. Rapport de recherches sur le Pluvier siffleur (Charadrius 1272 melodus) aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine, été 1989). Rapport interne. Association 1273 québécoise des groupes d’ornithologues et Service canadien de la faune. 1274 41 p. + annexes.
1275 Shaffer, F. et P. Laporte. 1992. Rapport synthèse des recherches relatives au Pluvier 1276 siffleur (Charadrius melodus) effectuées aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine de 1987 à 1991. 1277 Rapport interne. Association québécoise des groupes d’ornithologues et Service 1278 canadien de la faune. 78p.
1279 Species at Risk Act (SARA) (S.C. 2002, c. 29) http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/s- 1280 15.3/FullText.html.
1281 Spurgen, J. 1998. The socio-economic costs and benefits of coastal habitat 1282 rehabilitation and creation. Marine Pollution Bulletin 37: 373-382.
1283 The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB). 2008. An Interim Report. 1284 European Communities.
1285 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1996. Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), 1286 Atlantic Coast Population, Revised Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1287 Hadley, Massachusetts. 258 pp.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1288 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2009. Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) 1289 5-year review: evaluation and summary. 1290 https://www.fws.gov/northeast/endangered/pdf/Piping_Plover_five_year_review_and 1291 _summary.pdf.
1292 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2012. Comprehensive conservation strategy 1293 for the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) in its coastal migration and wintering 1294 range in the continental United States. East Lansing, Michigan. vi + 115 pp.
1295 Wilcox, L. 1959. A twenty year banding study of the Piping Plover. Auk 76: 129-152.
1296 Wolcott T.G., and D.L. Wolcott. 1984. Impact of off-road vehicles on macroinvertebrates 1297 of a mid-Atlantic beach. Biological Conservation 29: 217-240.
1298 Wooldridge, T., H.J. Henter, and J. R. Kohn. 2016. Effects of beach replenishment on 1299 intertidal invertebrates: A 15-month, eight beach study. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf 1300 Science
1301
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1302 Appendix A: Effects on the Environment and Other Species 1303 1304 A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is conducted on all SARA recovery 1305 planning documents, in accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental 1306 Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals22. The purpose of a SEA is to 1307 incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, 1308 and program proposals to support environmentally sound decision-making and to 1309 evaluate whether the outcomes of a recovery planning document could affect any 1310 component of the environment or any of the Federal Sustainable Development 1311 Strategy’s23 (FSDS) goals and targets. 1312 1313 Recovery planning is intended to benefit species at risk and biodiversity in general. 1314 However, it is recognized that implementation of action plans may inadvertently lead to 1315 environmental effects beyond the intended benefits. The planning process based on 1316 national guidelines directly incorporates consideration of all environmental effects, with 1317 a particular focus on possible impacts upon non-target species or habitats. The results 1318 of the SEA are incorporated directly into the action plan itself, but are also summarized 1319 below in this statement. 1320 1321 The SEA concluded that this plan will clearly benefit the environment and will not entail 1322 any significant adverse effects. Piping Plovers require relatively undisturbed, 1323 undeveloped coastal beach habitats and the maintenance of natural coastal processes, 1324 all of which will benefit co-occurring species. 1325 1326
22 www.canada.ca/en/environmental-assessment-agency/programs/strategic-environmental- assessment/cabinet-directive-environmental-assessment-policy-plan-program-proposals.html 23 www.fsds-sfdd.ca/index.html#/en/goals/
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1327 Appendix B: Summary of the Assessment of Research Needs 1328 1329 Knowledge gaps related to the recovery of Piping Plover were reviewed and prioritized 1330 based on the ability of the research to provide knowledge immediately essential for 1331 directing effective future conservation actions (Gratto-Trevor et al. 2013). The 1332 prioritization of these knowledge gaps are summarized in Table B.1. Additional 1333 descriptions of the knowledge gaps and justification for the priority ratings can be found 1334 in Appendix V of Gratto-Trevor et al. (2013). 1335 1336 Table B.1. A summary of the prioritization of research needs / knowledge gaps identified 1337 in the amended recovery strategy, based on the findings from Gratto-Trevor et al. (2013). 1338 Research need Priority Knowledge gaps to recovery presented in the amended recovery strategy and prioritized by Gratto-Trevor et al. (2013): Identification of nonbreeding grounds (i.e., staging, migration and High wintering).
Identification of threats to plovers on nonbreeding grounds. High
Analyses of population viability so that the probability of population High persistence can be calculated and the possible outcomes of different management scenarios can be explored.
Evaluate recovery management techniques (e.g., predator High management and vegetation manipulation).
Factors affecting juvenile and adult survival, including invertebrate High – survival analysis; prey availability. Low – prey availability
The effectiveness of mitigation measures required under Medium environmental assessments.
Identification of the predators of adults, eggs and young and an Medium - in specific assessment of their population-level impacts. This must be done in cases only advance, if any predator control activities are proposed.
Increase understanding of stressors in the coastal zone that affect Medium plover habitat, survival and productivity, to enable effective input into coastal planning.
Movement of adults and young between breeding areas. Medium-Low
Conservation genetics to determine population links within the Medium-Low Atlantic provinces and Quebec and with populations outside the region.
Factors affecting reproductive success and survival. Medium-Low
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
Research need Priority Knowledge gaps to recovery presented in the amended recovery strategy and prioritized by Gratto-Trevor et al. (2013): Accuracy of fledgling rate estimates. Medium-Low
The influence of invertebrate population, distribution and abundance Low on habitat selection by plovers.
Assess the carrying capacity of habitats in Atlantic Canada and No longer a priority Quebec and whether there is a need to protected currently unoccupied sites to meet population recovery objectives.
Assess the impact of sea level rise as a result of climate change on No longer a priority critical habitat designated under SARA.
Additional knowledge gaps to recovery identified by Gratto-Trevor et al. (2013), but not presented in the amended recovery strategy: Identify the season and areas where most juvenile and adult High mortality occurs.
Document the size of the areas used by adults and broods near the Medium nest to refine core use areas within critical habitat.
Knowledge gaps to recovery presented in the amended recovery strategy, not prioritized by Gratto-Trevor et al. (2013), but prioritized in this action plan: Asses the response of plovers to disturbance, harassment and Medium habitat management.
Compare characteristics of occupied habitat to apparently suitable, Low but unoccupied habitat.
1339 1340
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1341 Appendix C: Geographic Location of Areas Containing Critical Habitat
1342 1343 C-3. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM grid 1344 squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1345 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1346 1347 C-4. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM grid 1348 squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1349 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1350 1351 C-5. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM grid 1352 squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1353 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1354 1355 C-6. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM grid 1356 squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1357 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1358 1359 C-7. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM grid 1360 squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1361 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1362 1363 C-8. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM grid 1364 squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1365 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1366 1367 C-9. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM grid 1368 squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1369 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1370 1371 C-10. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1372 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1373 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1374 1375 C-11. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1376 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1377 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1378 1379 C-12. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1380 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1381 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1382 1383 C-13. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1384 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1385 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1386 1387 C-14. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1388 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1389 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1390 1391 C-15. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1392 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1393 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1394 1395 C-16. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1396 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1397 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1398 1399 C-17. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1400 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1401 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1402 1403 C-18. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1404 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1405 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1406 1407 C-19. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Quebec. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km UTM 1408 grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside of the 1409 shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1410 1411 C-20. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1412 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1413 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1414 1415 C-21. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1416 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1417 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1418 1419 C-22. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1420 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1421 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1422 1423 C-23. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1424 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1425 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1426 1427 C-24. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1428 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1429 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1430 1431 C-25. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1432 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1433 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1434 1435 C-26. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1436 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1437 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1438 1439 C-27. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1440 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1441 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1442 1443 C-28. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1444 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1445 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1446 1447 C-29. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1448 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1449 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1450 1451 C-30. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1452 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1453 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
68
Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1454 1455 C-31. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1456 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1457 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
69
Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1458 1459 C-32. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1460 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1461 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1462 1463 C-33. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1464 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1465 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1466 1467 C-34. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1468 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1469 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1470 1471 C-35. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1472 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1473 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1474 1475 C-36. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1476 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1477 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1478 1479 C-37. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1480 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1481 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1482 1483 C-38. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in New Brunswick. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1484 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1485 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1486 1487 C-39. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1488 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1489 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1490 1491 C-40. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1492 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1493 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1494 1495 C-41. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1496 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1497 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1498 1499 C-42. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1500 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1501 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1502 1503 C-43. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1504 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1505 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1506 1507 C-44. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1508 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1509 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1510 1511 C-45. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1512 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1513 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1514 1515 C-46. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1516 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1517 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1518 1519 C-47. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1520 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1521 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1522 1523 C-48. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1524 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1525 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1526 1527 C-49. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1528 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1529 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1530 1531 C-50. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1532 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1533 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1534 1535 C-51. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1536 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1537 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1538 1539 C-52. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1540 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1541 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1542 1543 C-53. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1544 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1545 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1546 1547 C-54. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1548 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1549 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1550 1551 C-55. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1552 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1553 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1554 1555 C-56. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1556 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1557 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1558 1559 C-57. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1560 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1561 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1562 1563 C-58. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1564 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1565 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1566 1567 C-59. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1568 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1569 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1570 1571 C-60. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Prince Edward Island. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1572 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas 1573 outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1574 1575 C-61. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1576 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1577 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1578 1579 C-62. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1580 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1581 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1582 1583 C-63. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1584 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1585 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1586 1587 C-64. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1588 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1589 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1590 1591 C-65. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1592 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1593 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1594 1595 C-66. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1596 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1597 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1598 1599 C-67. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1600 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1601 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1602 1603 C-68. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1604 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1605 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1606 1607 C-69. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1608 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1609 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1610 1611 C-70. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1612 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1613 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1614 1615 C-71. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1616 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1617 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1618 1619 C-72. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1620 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1621 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1622 1623 C-73. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1624 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1625 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1626 1627 C-74. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1628 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1629 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1630 1631 C-75. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1632 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1633 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1634 1635 C-76. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1636 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1637 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1638 1639 C-77. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Nova Scotia. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1km x 1km 1640 UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. Areas outside 1641 of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1642 1643 C-78. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Newfoundland and Labrador. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1644 1km x 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. 1645 Areas outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1646 1647 C-79. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Newfoundland and Labrador. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1648 1km x 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. 1649 Areas outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1650 1651 C-80. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Newfoundland and Labrador. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1652 1km x 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. 1653 Areas outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1654 1655 C-81. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Newfoundland and Labrador. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1656 1km x 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. 1657 Areas outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1658 1659 C-82. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Newfoundland and Labrador. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1660 1km x 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. 1661 Areas outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1662 1663 C-83. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Newfoundland and Labrador. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1664 1km x 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. 1665 Areas outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1666 1667 C-84. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Newfoundland and Labrador. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1668 1km x 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. 1669 Areas outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1670 1671 C-85. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Newfoundland and Labrador. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1672 1km x 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. 1673 Areas outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
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Recovery Strategy (Amended) and Action Plan for the Piping Plover melodus subspecies 2021
1674 1675 C-86. Grid squares containing critical habitat for Piping Plover in Newfoundland and Labrador. Critical Habitat for Piping Plover occurs within these 1676 1km x 1km UTM grid squares (red shaded squares), where the criteria and methodology set out in section 7.1 of the recovery strategy are met. 1677 Areas outside of the shaded polygon do not contain critical habitat.
124