When the oxygen is displaced by water for a prolonged period of time it results in an anaerobic environment which causes a chemical reduction in some of the soil components. This reduction is reflected in the soil color. Mottles are streaks or spots of different colors. The abundance, size and color of the mottles reflect the duration of saturation. Under normal circumstances, a wetland will be dominated by a community of hydrophytic vegetation.
Hydrophytic vegetation includes plants that are tolerant of wet soil conditions.
This list assigns plants with a wetland indicator status, which is based on the frequency of occurrence found in a wetland. The common freshwater wetland types found in NH are marshes, wet meadows, shrub and forested swamps, bogs, fens, and vernal pools. All wetlands are evaluated based on the value of the functions they provide. Common functions are storm water abatement, nutrient filtering, and wildlife habitat. Prime wetlands are areas with high value functions, which are mapped and adopted by a town and approved by the Department.