The study was carried out in an area of meadow located in a proper dry meadow habitat. The soil comprised black degraded earth with the mechanical composition of heavy clayey sand and a pH of 4.4. The study involved the following methods of utilisation: mowing and harvesting the biomass, mowing and leaving the biomass on the swathe, mulching the biomass and leaving it on the swathe and leaving the meadow non-utilised. Despite significant differences in utilisation, no statistically significant differences were observed in sward density although leaving mowed biomass on the swathe contributed to a decline in sward density. The height of the mowed sward was lowest where biomass was collected and tallest where it was left after mulching. Despite the extensive utilisation and lack of fertiliser the crop yield remained relatively high, ranging from 4.3-4.7 t•ha-1 DMB. The different methods of utilisation did not bring significant differences in crop yield. The botanical composition of the sward deteriorated significantly with a decline in valuable grasses and the spread of dicotyledonous plants, including varieties such as the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.) and common sorrel (Rumex acetosa L.). This effect was particularly marked in the non-utilised meadow and the meadow where the biomass was left on the swathe. The results of the study indicate that leaving harvested biomass to mulch is more beneficial to meadow than being left non-utilised, but in the long term this leads to degradation, particularly of sward (through the spread of weeds) but also sward density (by rarefaction).