Sometimes unique habitats are home to threatened or endangered species. Endangered means a particular animal or plant is sufficiently rare that it could easily disappear from Indiana. Threatened means it is likely to become endangered in the near future. In extreme cases it is possible the animal or plant is so rare it could disappear entirely and become extinct if its numbers become any smaller. The piping plover is an endangered species that can be found on the beaches along shorelines of the Great Lakes. ALL BUT ONE might be a method to protect the piping plover.

A)Continue water level manipulation along the major rivers.B)Avoid bringing non-native or exotic species into the area.C)Limit future commercial, residential, and recreational developments on the coast.D)Prohibit people from bringing dogs to the beach where plovers are known to nest and breed.

Piping plover (Charadrius melodus), is a small, pale-colored shorebird. Its primary habitat are the sandy beaches and shorelines. The piping plover is an endangered species that can be found on the beaches along shorelines. Some of the reasons are mentioned:
(i) Piping plovers nest on beaches where people like to live and enjoy the shoreline. Their nests accidentally get damaged by people and vehicles. The presence of people also may cause the birds to leave their nest, exposing eggs or chicks to the hot sun and predators. Pets, especially dogs kill the birds. But the main reason is the water level along the major rivers has been manipulated by humans may also lead to loss of breeding habitat.