https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2025.036
Published: Kem. Ind. 75 (3-4) (2026) 145–152
Paper reference number: KUI-36/2025
Paper type: Original scientific paper
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Impacts of Hydrological and Climatological Indicators on the Ecological Values of Mura-Drava Regional Park

S. Rotim and L. Tadić

Abstract

The Mura-Drava Regional Park was established in 2011 to preserve natural swampy habitats, including flooded forests, abandoned river branches, and oxbows, as well as species that inhabit the area. In addition to the hydrotechnical structures built in the past, climate change has become an increasingly important factor in the preservation of wetlands such as the Mura-Drava Regional Park, which is strongly dependent on the hydrological regimes of the Mura and Drava rivers. This paper examines the meteorological and hydrological characteristics of the area, observed over the periods 1981–2022 and 1960–2024, respectively, to predict potential trends over the next decade. Mean annual air temperatures and precipitation, which act as driving forces of water balance components, specifically run-off, were observed at the Varaždin and Osijek stations. The results show a continuous increase in air temperature and a homogeneous precipitation data series, with no statistically significant trends detected. Similarly, annual maximum and minimum discharges of the Mura and Drava rivers do not exhibit statistically significant trends. However, when applying a 10-year moving average, statistically significant decreasing trends are observed in the maximum and minimum discharges of the Mura River and in the maximum discharges of the Drava River. These changes in the Regional Park area are considered unfavourable and may seriously threaten its ecological values in the future.

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Keywords

protected area, hydrological regime, climate change, environment