Which of the following is a threatened species example in Minnesota?

• A. Canada Lynx
• B. Piping Plover
• C. MN Dwarf Trout Lily
• D. Winged Mapleleaf Mussel

Answer: (A)

In Minnesota, a threatened species is one that is likely to become endangered in the state in the foreseeable future if current trends continue. Canada lynx fits this idea because its Minnesota populations depend on large, intact boreal forest habitat. Habitat loss and fragmentation have posed ongoing risks, so the lynx is identified as threatened to help prompt protective actions and habitat management before it becomes endangered.

The other options aren’t the standard Minnesota example of a threatened species. Piping Plovers are a migratory shorebird with varying statuses in different states and regions, and their conservation concerns are often discussed in broader or federal contexts. The MN Dwarf Trout Lily and Winged Mapleleaf Mussel have their own conservation considerations, but they aren’t the typical state-listed threatened species highlighted in this context.