Permanent grasslands are the most environment-friendly way of using agricultural lands. Apart from producing fodder, grasslands play many other important non-productive functions. Biodiversity is the key factor decisive for their high natural and productive values. Grasslands play an important role in water retention. Not all types of grasslands may be used agriculturally. Out of 16 types of habitats, 10 may be used for production, the others are biologically valuable. The surface area of permanent grasslands in Poland has markedly decreased during the last decade. Now, they constitute slightly more than 20% of agricultural lands occupying 3127.8 thous. ha (in 2019) including 2764 thous. ha of meadows and 363.8 thous. ha of pastures.

Starting from the statement that self-reflection is necessary for the development of any scientific discipline, the author of this article—a historian and sociologist—considers the characteristics of research on everyday life. What is the subject of this subdiscipline and when did such research start? What methods does it use? The author reflects on these issues, while referring to his own experience as a historian and to the book by Bogumiła Mateja-Jaworska and Marta Zawodna- -Stephan, Badania życia codziennego. Rozmowy (nie)codzienne w Polsce (2019) [Studies of Everyday Life: (Not) Everyday Conversations in Poland], in which the statements of contemporary everyday researchers are quoted. The author concludes that the beginnings of such research should be sought in the very distant past and that its material might be provided by all the creations of human culture. He also wonders if and how evidence of the modern digital age will survive.