Rijeka - Zagreb Motorway operates the surface area of 6.359.500 m². The motorway passes through the area with considerable natural potentials, such as distinct relief and forests with many environmental protection objects. Along the motorway alignment there are protected areas of nature such as the Kamačnik River Canyon and Park Forest Golubinjak. The motorway passes through most of Primorsko-goranska County. Different ecological aspects and species of flora and fauna intertwine in that area, as well as typical habitats of Central Europe, Dinarides karst, Western and Eastern Mediterranean, and on the top parts of Gorski kotar there is a strong influence from the Alps. This is even more emphasized by migratory birds which use the corridor of Gorski Kotar for their annual migrations towards the south and back. This entire area in continental proportion has considerable biodiversity and is ecologically preserved. In terms of biodiversity value, it is probably one of the most interesting Croatian Counties and one of the most valuable areas in Europe. This natural wealth is worth protecting so it could be used for the benefit of the people who live there, as one of the greatest developmental resources.

Name	Protection category	Subcategory	County	Exit
Tepec-Palačnik-Stražnik	Forest park		Zagrebačka	Zagreb / Jastrebarsko
Jastrebarsko - park oko dvorca	Monument of park architecture	park	Zagrebačka	Zagreb / Jastrebarsko
Slapnica	Significant landscape		Zagrebačka	Zagreb / Jastrebarsko
Japetić	Special forest vegetation reserve		Zagrebačka	Zagreb / Jastrebarsko
Crna Mlaka	Special reserve	ornithological	Zagrebačka	Zagreb / Jastrebarsko
Jastrebarski lugovi	Special reserve	ornithological	Zagrebačka	Zagreb / Jastrebarsko
Žumberak - Samoborsko gorje	Nature park		Zagrebačka / Karlovačka	Zagreb / Jastrebarsko
Kamačnik	Significant landscape		Primorsko-goranska	Vrbovsko
Vražji prolaz i Zeleni vir	Special reserve	geomorphological	Primorsko-goranska	Ravna Gora
Japlenški vrh	Forest park		Primorsko-goranska	Delnice / Vrata
Debela lipa - Velika Rebar	Special reserve	forest vegetation	Primorsko-goranska	Delnice / Vrata
Golubinjak	Forest park		Primorsko-goranska	Delnice / Vrata
Risnjak	National park		Primorsko-goranska	Delnice / Vrata
Kupa - izvor	Nature monument	hydrological	Primorsko-goranska	Delnice / Vrata
Lokvarsko jezero	Significant landscape		Primorsko-goranska	Delnice / Vrata
Fojiška - Podpredošćica	Special reserve	ornithological	Primorsko-goranska	Oštrovica / Matulji
Mali bok - Koromačna	Special reserve	ornithological	Primorsko-goranska	Oštrovica / Matulji
Vela Draga	Nature monument	geomorphological	Primorsko-goranska	Matulji
Učka	Nature park		Primorsko-goranska / Istarska	Matulji