ssp. parryana was often found on salt-encrusted 

 soils. 



Carex parryana ssp. idahoa was always found in 

 subirrigated soils associated with low-gradient 

 streams or springs and seeps. These soils are wet 

 early in the growing season but are only moist 

 later in the summer. 



4. REGIONAL CLIMATE: Lima (6,275 ft) along the Red 

 Rock River in southern Beaverhead County is the 

 meteorological recording station most similar to 

 the majority of Carex parryana ssp. idahoa 

 populations. Mean January and July temperatures 

 at Lima were 16.6° and 62.6° F respectively, and 

 mean annual precipitation was 10.7 in (NOAA 1982). 

 Most Carex parryana ssp. idahoa sites are higher 

 and therefore probably colder and wetter. 



5. DYNAMIC ABIOTIC FACTORS: Disturbances from 

 flooding are probably uncommon at Carex parryana 

 ssp. idahoa sites because they are generally in 

 headwaters locations where snow accumulation and 

 gradients are low. 



Although fire was common in high-elevation steppe 

 vegetation in southwest Montana prior to European 

 settlement (Arno and Gruell 1983), it probably did 

 not play an important role in the dynamics of the 

 herbaceous wetland vegetation associated with 

 riparian areas. 



F. POPULATION BIOLOGY 



1. PHENOLOGY: Carex parryana ssp. idahoa generally 

 occurs at 6,000-8,000 ft, and phenology will 

 depend on elevation and annual depth of snow pack. 

 In general this sedge flowers in June through 

 early July with mature fruit from mid-July through 

 August . 



2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION 



a. Idaho: The four recently verified 

 populations in Idaho appeared small. Only 

 one small colony could be located at the 

 Kaufman site in Lemhi County in 1997. The 

 other three sites were heavily grazed in 

 1997. 



b. Tendoy-Beaverhead Mtns., Montana: Twelve 

 verified populations occur in the Big Sheep 



