1. CATTLE GRAZING: It is reasonable to assume that 

 light to moderate livestock grazing is compatible 

 with the conservation of Carex parryana ssp. 

 idahoa, but that the species will decline with 

 heavy grazing (see above) . The habitat of this 

 plant is favored by cattle, and overgrazing of its 

 mesic wetland habitat on public and private land 

 is common. Populations of C. parryana ssp. idahoa 

 are probably subjected to many different grazing 

 regimes throughout its range. It is not known how 

 the plant responds to these different treatments. 

 It is reasonable to assume that grazing regimes 

 permitting 50% or less utilization annually and 

 allowing seed production and dispersal at regular 

 intervals will be most likely to be compatible 

 with the persistence of C. parryana ssp. idahoa. 



2. MOWING FOR HAY: Conversion of Carex parryana ssp. 

 idahoa habitat for hay production occurs only on 

 private land in Montana. Plowing and seeding 

 undoubtedly has adverse effects on the viability 

 of C. parryana ssp. idahoa populations. The 

 effects of mowing on native vegetation are 

 unknown . 



3. ROADS: Road construction has occurred in Carex 

 parryana ssp. idahoa populations, probably 

 resulting in a loss of habitat. Use of these 

 roads by ranchers and recreationists probably has 

 little impact on C. parryana ssp. idahoa 

 populations; however, maintenance or widening may 

 result in additional habitat loss. 



C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS 



1. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: It is unlikely that 

 private landowners will be willing to alter 

 management practices in order to conserve 

 populations of Carex parryana ssp. idahoa. 

 Consequently, conservation of this rare sedge will 

 depend on public lands. The only significant 

 threat to C. parryana ssp. idahoa on public lands 

 is overgrazing. 



The 1997 guidelines for livestock grazing 

 management on BLM's Butte District call for 

 maintaining and improving riparian vegetative 

 cover (Guideline #1) and stocking rates and 

 duration of use should be implemented to ensure 

 that riparian areas are in proper functioning 

 condition (Guideline #4) , including "high vigor" 

 for riparian plants (Standard #2). Management of 



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