Planning for protected areas using spatial and temporal metrics

The natural characteristics of protected areas change for a variety of reasons. These changes can be studied both spatially and temporally. Spatially, protected area landscape structures such as shape, size and location with respect to their neighbourhood context can be studied to describe landscape configuration. Temporally, landscape functions such as different geographical locations and land characteristics can be studied to determine the rate of temporal changes in landscape. This paper will introduce a developed framework to enhance the landscape ecological planning approach with attention to changes in landscapes of protected areas. Considering landscape ecological concepts, this framework draws upon spatial and temporal characteristics of protected areas. In order to examine the model in the real world, the data requirements for landscape ecological planning including a number of spatial and temporal metrics were implemented using a case study method. The case study approach proved that spatial and temporal metrics can be used in the interpretation of spatial configuration and temporal variability of protected areas. A list of spatial and temporal criteria was developed to assist interpretation of area compaction, spatial fragmentation and temporal variability of protected areas. Using the criteria list, a new framework for spatial and temporal evaluation of protected areas has been developed. The results were used to determine spatial and temporal management issues of the case areas at the landscape scale. Then planning scenarios for spatial and temporal issues of the protected areas were suggested.