Montana Field Guide

DRAFT: Requesting feedback on the 2026 revised rank, factors, and State Rank Reason outlined below and in the Conservation Status Rank Report. Carex plectocarpa is rare in Montana, where it is known from several alpine sites in Glacier National Park and one population in the Absaroka Range. Occurrences are mostly in remote areas though one of the largest populations occurs in the vicinity of Logan Pass. The remote habitat limits the potential for negative impacts and no significant and widespread threats to the species are known besides potential impacts associated with climate change. Portions of the population near Logan Pass are susceptible to trampling from recreational use and from maintenance activities. Statewide populations appear to consist of a few thousand plants. Populations appear likely to be stable, and monitoring between 1987 and 2016 at 7 subpopulations in Glacier National Park did not detect significant changes in populations, though one site did show a decline, potentially due to drier conditions. Climate change may negatively affect this species over the next several decades. However, the timing and magnitude of potential impacts are largely unknown. Although climate change is listed as a potential threat to the species, it does not affect the overall threat rank or scoring, or the final subnational rank. Survey and monitoring data are needed to be able to more precisely determine population levels, assess condition and for assessing population trends. Surveys in potentially suitable habitat may document additional occurrences.