Abstract
Soil physical and chemical properties in fragments of peat wet Molinia dominated meadow and the same meadows in close vicinity drained ten years ago were compared. Drained meadow was repeatedly tilled several years after drainage and turned into cultural meadows.
Drained meadows showed significantly lower content of carbon, phosphorus and magnesium as well as lower conductivity, which indicates loss of organic matter and nutrients. Despite the fact that there were no significant differences in water table level, drained soil had lower moisture, lower water holding capacity and porosity.
Bulk and particle density of drained meadows was higher than of undrained ones. Drainage and consequent cultivation resulted in complete disappearance of peaty layer, which was about 30 cm deep in undrained meadows.
Observed changes were very fast in comparison with other drained peats, apparently due to post drainage cultivation and shallow peat layer.