Degradation of reclaimed peat soils

The article presents the results of studies of the water-physical properties of reclaimed peat soils of four objects of Ryazan region, included in Ryazan Meschera. Drainage systems are destroyed due to lack of maintenance, which leads to an increase in the level of groundwater in the drained areas. The peat soils of the objects have similar changes, expressed in the utilization of peat over 65 years of drainage by 28-38 %, soil compaction by 0.08-0.12 g/cm3, a decrease in the ash content of peat by 2-2.9 % and a decrease in the thickness of the peat layer by 18-31 cm. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2021