Here are the different types of local wetlands, ranked generally by their value as wildlif habitat and how difficult they would be to replace. An exception is the praine grasslands. Experts are uncertain about whether tufted hairgrass, the dominant plant, successfully can be replaced.

Type	Functions	Typical plant species
Pond	Runoff storage, waterfowl habitat	Cattail, rush
Stream	Channel for runoff, aquatic habitat, provides interconnecting passage for animals	Cattail, rush, sedges
Ash forests	Bird and wildlife habitat, runoff retention	Oregon ash
Scrub/shrub swamp	Bird and waterfowl habitat, runoff retention	Oregon ash, willows
Marsh	Bird and waterfowl habitat, aquatic life, flood control, pollution control	Cattail, rush, sedges, reed, canary grass
Wet prairie grasslands	Bird and wildlife habitat, groundwater cleansing, flood control	Tufted hairgrass
Disturbed agricultural lands	Bird and wildlife habitat, groundwater cleansing	Domestic crops. If farming ceases, tufted hairgrass.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation and Oregon Department of Tranportation environmental impact statement for the West Eugene Parkway; Lane Council of Governments
GRAPHIC: FERIL ANDCO/ The Register-Guard