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BC Conservation Data Centre: Ecological Community Summary

Carex macrocephala Herbaceous Vegetation
large-headed sedge Herbaceous Vegetation

 
Scientific Name: Carex macrocephala Herbaceous Vegetation
English Name: large-headed sedge Herbaceous Vegetation
Scientific Name - Concept Reference: Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory of the Georgia Lowlands and Adjacent Islands. 2001. Field data from year 1 (2000) and year 2 (2001) to support sensitive ecosystem mapping for the study area.
Ecosystem Group: Terrestrial Realm - Beach Group (B): Beachland Class (Bb)
   
Conservation Status / Legal Designation
Global Status: G1G2
Provincial Status: S1S2 (Jun 2008)
BC List: Red
Provincial FRPA list:   
Notable Species:
 
Ecology & Dynamics
Environmental Summary: This ecological community occurs in the Strait of Georgia, the west coast of Vancouver Island and on Haida Gwaii (Page et al. 2011; Stacey and Filatow 2009; Henderson 2003; Page 2011). Elevation ranges from 0 m (high water mark) to approximately 20 m above sea level. The Carex macrocephala Herbaceous Vegetation association is restricted to habitat found on sand beaches, dunes, and spits. The occurrences are typically small (<0.5 ha) but can occasionally cover larger areas in open dunes (0.5 to 2 ha). This community occurs on medium to coarse, nutrient-poor sand that is well-drained and with little organic matter, silt, or clay (Page 2003). It is sometimes present in the upper beach where soils are saline and occasionally flooded by storm waves.
Vegetation Summary: This coastal dune ecosystem is characterized by sparse but regular, low growing (<20 cm) Carex macrocephala (large-headed sedge) and in some areas is distinctively monotypic. Variation in plant composition and abundance is related to successional patterns. Recently established communities are dominated by Carex macrocephala that establish vegetatively from rapidly growing rhizomes. Older communities are more floristically diverse as soils stabilize over time, providing conditions more suitable for the establishment and growth of a broader range of plant species. In these cases, associated species may include Leymus mollis (dune wildrye), Cakile species (sea-rocket species), Rumex acetosa (common sorrel), Festuca rubra (red fescue), Hypochaeris radicata (hairy cat's-ear) and Grindelia stricta (Puget Sound gumweed) (Page 2011; Kuramoto 1965; Page 2003).

Higher plant diversity also occurs on sites that are transitional to more species-rich ecological communities of coastal dunes and spits, such as Poa macrantha Herbaceous Vegetation (dune bluegrass Herbaceous Vegetation), Leymus mollis ssp. mollis - Lathyrus japonicus (dune wildrye - beach pea) or Artemisia campestris - Festuca rubra / Racomitrium canescens (northern wormwood - red fescue / grey rock-moss). Mosses such as Racomitrium canescens (grey rock-moss) may be present in sites that lack regular sand movement, such as stabilized dunes.

There is little regional variation in species composition, with the exception that Poa macrantha is an associate only at sites on the west coast of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii.
Dynamic Processes Summary: This dune ecosystem occurs in dynamic coastal sand ecosystems which are structured by sand movement, regular disturbance from waves or wind, and stressful environmental conditions such as summer drought and salt spray (Page et al. 2011). It thrives in sites with open sand cover and declines when reduced sand supply or soil development allows for the establishment and growth of taller grasses and forbs. It is an early successional community, but can persist for many decades in areas of active sand movement, particularly in larger dunes such as those at Wickanninish Beach. In sites lacking sand dunes, it may be present as a narrow band in the upper beach where it is exposed to infrequent inundation from winter waves, shifting sand, and burial or abrasion from wood debris. It is tolerant of recreation disturbance and, while intensive use can damage plants, it regrows rapidly.
Spatial Pattern: Small patch
 
Distribution
Endemic:
   
Authors / Contributors
Author: Schaefer, C. and C.M. Cadrin
Last updated: Apr 20, 2012
   
References and Related Literature
Flynn, S., C. Cadrin, and D. Filatow. 2006b. Coastal Sand Dune Ecosystems in British Columbia. B.C. Minist. Environ., Ecosystems Branch. Victoria, B.C. 6pp.
Henderson, P. 2003. Savary Island dune and shoreline study: ecological component. Unpublished report prepared by Strix Environmental Consulting for Powell River Regional District. 37 pp.
Kuramoto, R.T. 1965. Plant associations and succession in the vegetation of the sand dunes of Long Beach, Vancouver Island. M.Sc. Thesis, department of Botany, Univ.of B.C. Vancouver, B.C. 88 pp.
McPhee, M., P. Ward, J. Kirkby, L. Wolfe, N. Page, K. Dunster, N.K. Dawe, and I. Nykwist. 2000. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, 1993 - 1997. Volume 2: Conservation Manual. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 345, Can. Wildl. Serv., Pac. and Yukon Reg., BC.
Page, N. 2011. Iona Beach Regional Park: Strategies for managing vegetation succession. Unpublished report prepared for Metro Vancouver Parks by Raincoast Applied Ecology, Vancouver, BC. 34 pp. + appendices.
Page, N., P. Lilley, I.J. Walker and R.G. Vennesland. 2011. Status report on coastal sand ecosystems in British Columbia. Report prepared for the coastal sand ecosystems Recovery team. vii + 83 pp.
Page, N.A. 2003. Community and regional scale patterns of native and exotic plant species in sand beaches of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. M.Sc. Thesis, Univ. of B.C. 79 pp.
Page, Nick. Personal communication. Ecologist, Raincoast Applied Ecology.
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory of the Georgia Lowlands and Adjacent Islands. 2001. Field data from year 1 (2000) and year 2 (2001) to support sensitive ecosystem mapping for the study area.
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory [SEI] of East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands: Sensitive Ecosystems Mapping, Disturbance Mapping and Re-evaluation of Major Riparian Corridors. 2004. Prepared by Axys Environ. Consulting Ltd. for Environ. Can., Can. Wildl. Serv., B.C. Minist. Sustainable Resour. Manage., and B.C. Minist. Water, Land and Air Prot., and the Habitat Conserv. Trust Fund. 66 mapsheets, 1:20 000 scale.
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory [SEI] of the Sunshine Coast and Adjacent Islands. 2005. Cadrin, C., C. Erwin, B. Fuller, C. Schaefer and J. Stacey. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Stacey, J. and D. Filatow. 2009. Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping of TIXEN/Cordova Spit Final Report - August 2009. Report prepared for Tsawout First Nation, CRD Parks, CWS and Central Saanich Parks. Victoria, B.C. 88pp. + map
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Area (Atleo, Bedwell, Bulson River, Catface, Flores Island, Fortune, Hesquiat, Hesquiat Peninsula, Pretty Girl, Sydney River, Tranquil Creek and Ursus Creek study areas). March 1999h. Prepared for Ministry of Forests, Port Alberni Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C., 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Area (Muriel Ridge study area). March 1999g. Prepared for Ministry of Forests, Port Alberni Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C., 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Study Area, Year Four. March 2002f. Prepared for the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, Nanaimo Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of TFL 39 - Mamin Blackwater Study Area. 1998e. Shearwater Mapping Ltd., Victoria, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Coastal Douglas-fir Biogeoclimatic Zone. 2008. Prepared for B. Zinovich, Integrated Land Management Bureau, B.C. Minist. of Agric. and Lands, Nanaimo B.C. by Madrone Environmental Services, Duncan B.C. 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Deer Group and Vernon Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C. March 2002d. Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20, 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] Report for Effingham River and Toquart Bay. January 2003f. Prepared for Ministry Of Forests Nanaimo Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Ward, P., G. Radcliffe, J. Kirkby, J. Illingworth, and C. Cadrin. 1998. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands 1993-1997. Volume 1: Methodology, Ecological Descriptions and Results. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 320, Can. Wildl. Serv., Pac. and Yukon Reg., BC.
 

Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for definitions of the data fields used in this summary report.

Suggested Citation:

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2012. Ecological Community Summary: Carex macrocephala Herbaceous Vegetation. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 17, 2026).