Physical geographical analysis and geoecological assessment of potential protected area – the example of the Kupčina river valley, Zagreb County, Croatia

The middle section of the Kupčina river valley is listed as a natural asset that has been registered, and proposed to be designated as a protected area of the significant landscape category, in the spatial plan of Zagreb County. However, professional criteria for declaring such protected areas are not clearly defined. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to prepare a proposal for research methodology of physical geographic and geoecological surveys of the landscape in order to create an expert baseline study for protection status. The study area is a prevalently agricultural landscape in which the only natural zone is a narrow riparian zone along the riverbed of the Kupčina. For this purpose, the data on geomorphological, soil, and climate characteristics, water resources, and land use were analysed in order to carry out the assessment of land for agricultural use and protection. By using the method of relative relief evaluation, the suitability of the land for agricultural use was determined. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the inner part of the riparian zone of the Kupčina is suitable for protection under the significant landscape category.