| Abstract: | To investigate the changes of hydrological properties of peat soil in course of soil development, field measurements at 84 fen sites (Histosols) in 19 fen regions of North‐East Germany were carried out. Capillary water supply at all the stages of soil development was not limited up to 70 cm of ground water level. Worsening of plant water supply was the result of mud accumulation in the capillary fringe, ground water levels located deeper than 70 cm below soil surface, low hydraulic conductivity in the ground water zone, and hysteresis effects, affected by high dynamics of ground water level during the day. |
