摘要：Changes in land cover are a distinct reflection of alterations within society, and the importance of research on land cover changes can be seen in the potentially negative consequences they have on the environment and population. The subject matter of this particular study consists of the land cover changes in the territory of northern Croatia (Međimurje, Varaždin, and Koprivnica-Križevci Counties) between 1981 and 2011; during which time a significant transformation of the socio-economic system occurred. Methods of remote sensing based on digital images from the Landsat satellite system enabled a supervised classification of land cover into four classes: built-up; agricultural; natural vegetation; and water. The most significant processes of change were an increase in the share of natural vegetation and built-up land, and a decrease in the share of agricultural land. According to the results of the study, the intensity of land cover changes depended on the relief characteristics of the area. The increase in natural vegetation was most intense in hilly areas with mild and medium slopes, and in the flood plains of the rivers Drava and Mura. In densely populated plain areas, the most significant process was the increase in built-up land due to (sub)urbanisation.
