BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Carex scopulorum var. prionophylla
saw-leaved sedge
| Scientific Name: | Carex scopulorum var. prionophylla |
|---|---|
| English Name: | saw-leaved sedge |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S2S3 |
| Date Status Assigned: | March 31, 2018 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | April 30, 2022 |
| Reasons: | The total number of known occurrences of saw-leaved sedge in BC is two. They appear to have good viability and one may be protected by its location within a Provincial Park. The total area of occupancy is 8 square kilometres. The population at Bridal Lake has 100's of culms and because it has not changed noticeably over a 10 year period, is probably stable. The short and long-term population and habitat trends are unknown. Threats do not appear to be imminent and the scope and severity of those threats is expected to be moderate. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | F = 20,000-200,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | The range extent for this species is 29,949 square kilometres calculated using a minimum convex polygon. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | D = 6-25 |
| Area of Occupancy Comments: | Using GIS tools, the AOO index value is 2 cells (each 4 sq km) for a total of 8 sq km. |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | AB = 1 - 20 |
| Comments: | The total number of known occurrences for saw-leaved sedge is two: collected by F. Lomer in 2000 at Stagleap Provincial Park near the Kootenay Pass summit, south-east of Salmoand and at Apex Mountain near Penticton. However, there is extensive appropriate habitat and additional populations are likely to occur. |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | B = 1 - 3 |
| Comments: | Although they have not been visited since 1999-2000, the population at Bridal Lake is apparently in good condition and appears viable as the plants are visible on Google Earth as a large patch growing from the stream into the lake (F. Lomer, pers. comm. 2010). . |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | B = 1 - 3 |
| Comments: | One occurrence of this species in BC is within a provincial park, but whether protection measures are being undertaken is unknown. |
| Population Size: | C = 250 - 1,000 individuals |
| Comments: | Although notes on population size at Bridal Lake were not taken in 2000 when it was first discovered, F. Lomer (pers. comm. 2010) has seen in March, 2010, using Google Earth, a large (approximately 20m x 30m) patch with 100's of culms of this species growing in the same site along the lakeshore as first reported. |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | C = Medium |
| Comments: | [C] No immediate threats were identified and the scope and severity of potential threats is expected to be moderate. The patch of saw-leaved sedge at Bridal Lake is growing along the highway near a parking area adjacent to a park building. The population at Apex Mountain Ski Area is also situated near a parking area. Potential threats to all of these populations would include developments such as buildings or lakeshore alterations, roadwork or utility and service lines, recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, or boating, and pollution from road runoff. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | The population at Bridal Lake appears to be stable, as the patch hasn't changed noticeably over a 10 year period. The population is in a protected area, although near a road, and it should remain stable for the short term as long as conditions remain stable. |
| Long-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Long-term trends cannot be assessed. However, the population at Bridal Lake is in a protected area, although near a road, and it should remain stable for a long period as long as conditions remain stable. |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | C=Not intrinsically vulnerable |
| Comments: | Saw-leaved sedge probably matures quickly, reproduces frequently, and/or has high fecundity so that that populations probably recover quickly from decreases in abundance. It also successfully reproduces asexually via rhizomes and can form and maintain large patches. Large patches of sedges similar to this species tend to be resilient to changes in composition and structure and recover quickly. |
| Environmental Specificity: | C=Moderate. Generalist or community with some key requirements scarce. |
| Comments: | This species is a wetland specialist but key requirements (lakeshore habitats and other abiotic and/or biotic factors) for this species are common within the generalized range of the species. |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | Research needs include assessing the size, viability, and reproductive success of the known occurrences of saw-leaved sedge, and assessing threats at the known sites. A monitoring program should be designed and implemented. |
| Inventory Needs: | Surveys at all known locations to determine threats and accurate estimations of population size and health is recommended. The habitat needs to be more clearly described and defined. New sites need to be sought through targeted surveys in high potential habitat in late summer and autumn. |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | One population of this species in BC is within a provincial park, and parks are required to protect rare species on their property. However, the authorities at Stagleap Provincial Park need to be contacted in order to find out what, if any, protection measures are being undertaken or evaluated. |
| Management: | Management needs should be evaluated after the populations are revisited and described in more detail. However, the minimum management for this species in Stagleap Provincial Park should follow Provincial Park conservation guidelines. |
| Version | |
| Author: | McIntosh, T.T. and M. Donovan |
| Date: | June 19, 2018 |
| References | |
| No references available | |
Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2018. Conservation Status Report: Carex scopulorum var. prionophylla. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 8, 2026).