Table 5. Individual parameter changes required to attain the recovery targets (Amirault 2006) for two Piping Plover population segments in eastern Canada within 5 or 10 years, based on vital rates and population growth estimated from 1998–2003. Target abundance for recovery is 52 pairs (i.e., a 126% increase from 23 pairs in 2005) for South NS (current growth rate estimated at λd = 1.0043), and 273 pairs (a 44% increase from 190 pairs in 2005) for Gulf Piping Plovers (current growth rate estimated at λd = 0.9651). These parameter changes would be required immediately in order for the population to reach the target abundance within the stated time period, assuming current growth is accurately represented by λd. Required values that are not possible (i.e., probability of >1) are indicated as NA.

Elasticity Current value Change required Value required
South NS
λd = 1.1771 (recovery within 5 years)
Adult survival (ΦA) 0.7398 0.7324 +23.26% 0.9027
Juvenile post-fledge survival (ΦJw) 0.2602 0.5314 +66.13% 0.8828
Hatching success (h) 0.2602 0.4603 +66.13% 0.7647
Fledging success (f) 0.2602 0.6171 +66.13% NA (>1.0)
 
λd = 1.0850 (recovery within 10 years)
Adult survival (ΦA) 0.7398 0.7324 +10.86% 0.8120
Juvenile post-fledge survival (ΦJw) 0.2602 0.5314 +30.88% 0.6955
Hatching success (h) 0.2602 0.4603 +30.88% 0.6024
Fledging success (f) 0.2602 0.6171 +30.88% 0.8077
 
Gulf
λd = 1 (stability near current size)
Adult survival (ΦA) 0.7666 0.7331 +4.72% 0.7677
Juvenile post-fledge survival (ΦJw) 0.2334 0.3415 +15.49% 0.3944
Hatching success (h) 0.2334 0.5120 +15.49% 0.5913
Fledging success (f) 0.2334 0.7014 +15.49% 0.8100
 
λd = 1.0757 (recovery within 5 years)
Adult survival (ΦA) 0.7666 0.7331 +14.95% 0.8427
Juvenile post-fledge survival (ΦJw) 0.2334 0.3415 +49.10% 0.5092
Hatching success (h) 0.2334 0.5120 +49.10% 0.7634
Fledging success (f) 0.2334 0.7014 +49.10% NA (>1.0)
 
λd = 1.0371 (recovery within 10 years)
Adult survival (ΦA) 0.7666 0.7331 +9.73% 0.8044
Juvenile post-fledge survival (ΦJw) 0.2334 0.3415 +31.96% 0.4507
Hatching success (h) 0.2334 0.5120 +31.96% 0.6757
Fledging success (f) 0.2334 0.7014 +31.96% 0.9256