Why are some Carex species important pasture plants in boreal and mountain regions?

In boreal and mountainous regions, certain Carex species are valued as important pasture and rangeland plants because they provide essential forage in environments where other vegetation may be limited. In some areas, these sedges are actively managed to support grazing, such as the Carex lyngbyei meadows found in Iceland.1

While some coarse Carex species are considered weeds that reduce grazing quality due to their harsh, inedible foliage, many others serve as vital components of the local ecosystem, contributing to the primary productivity of these regions.1