The region of origin of the Tócó-ér valley, in the border area of Zelemér in Böszörmény, has enjoyed protection of local importance since 1996 in an area of 24.5 hectares, which has been part of the Natura 2000 ecological network since our accession to the European Union. The Tócó is a lowland stream with shallow water, which originates from three branches south of Hajdúböszörmény on the Hajdúság loess, below the Zelemér church ruin. The vein is both a surface water course and a groundwater drainage bed.In fact, from 2023, thanks to the Civaqua project, it will be part of the surface drainage system that also supports Debrecen’s water supply. The mowing fields and willow groves that parallel the vein are also significant from a landscape point of view, especially in early spring, when the white and ash (or requetye) willows open up the bark, and the bottom of the bushes is transformed into a yellow carpet by hundreds of martilaps and storks. As a geological border area, the Tócó Valley and its surroundings are a plant-geographic dividing line between Nyírség and Hajdúság.

Like all such transitional units, it is depressed from a biogeographic point of view, but at the same time it has a rich flora and fauna. From a sociological point of view, the presence of Arrentheretum eleatoris, Juncetum subundulosi and Agrostetum stoloniflorae are outstanding, which hide very valuable plant species as grassy areas next to the river. Examples include Geranium pratense, Thalictrum flavum, Caltha palustris, Iris pseudacorus and, in spring, the protected Ranunculus strigulosus, which blooms en masse. In terms of its fauna, it is worth mentioning that its wetland parts and the vessel itself are breeding grounds for amphibians: for example,Bufo bufo and viridis, Pelobates fuscus and Rana arvalis, as well as the Triturus cristatus also.