Protected areas change over time due to various factors. This study developed a framework to plan for these changes by looking at the shape, size, and location of protected areas (spatially) and how they change over time (temporally). By using spatial and temporal metrics, the researchers were able to assess the landscape configuration and variability of protected areas. They found that these metrics can help identify issues like area compaction, fragmentation, and temporal variability in protected areas. This new framework can be used to address spatial and temporal management challenges in protected areas.