DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16987805
title: Spatial biodiversity indicators and a composite index for conservation prioritization in Switzerland

description: We present a 25-meter resolution dataset for Switzerland, encompassing three key biodiversity indicators—Complementarity, Extinction Risk, and Ecological Connectivity—developed across 17 major taxonomic groups, using habitat suitability maps for approximately 7,500 individual species. These three indicators capture (1) the contribution of landscapes to taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity, (2) species vulnerability to extinction and (3) ecological connectivity. Outputs are provided for both terrestrial and aquatic realms, including versions adjusted for species richness, and integrated into composite indices. A summary table listing all taxonomic groups and their inclusion (Yes or No) in the terrestrial and aquatic aggregations is provided below.

File: CH3Div_all_aqua_terr.zip

This archive provides 25-m resolution raster objects (.tif files) for the three key biodiversity indicators: Complementarity (CI), Extinction Risk (ERI), and Ecological Connectivity (ECI), as well as their composite versions (adjusted and unadjusted for species richness) at the aggregate level for all taxonomic group combined, terrestrial and aquatic. See the companion manuscript and the table below for technical details and the aggregation scheme.

File: CH3Div_individual_taxa.zip

This archive provides 25-m resolution raster objects (.tif files) for the three key biodiversity indicators: Complementarity (CI), Extinction Risk (ERI), and Ecological Connectivity (ECI), as well as their composite versions (adjusted and unadjusted for species richness) at the taxonomic group level. See the companion manuscript and the table below for technical details and the aggregation scheme.

File: CH3Div_pa_simulations.zip

This archive provides 100-m resolution raster objects (.tif files) for simulated protected area networks under Current (13%) and Target (30%) scenarios. The simulation produced a classification in which each pixel was assigned to one of three categories: (1) unprotected areas, which remained unprotected under the scenario; (2) protected areas, which were already part of the network; and (3) extended protected areas, which were newly added to meet the scenario target. This classification was produced for both the “current” and “target” scenarios, using the composite index in both its species richness-adjusted and unadjusted versions. See Appendix S3 of the companion manuscript for additional technical details and the R code used for these simulations.

File: appendices.zip

This archive provides supplementary information on (1) the 7,461 species, (2) the computation of indicators, and (3) the protected area extension scenarios.1.    Detailed species listo    File: Appendix S1_species list.csvo    Description: List of the 7,461 species considered in this study, along with information on the grouping schemes (main taxonomic groups, and aquatic vs terrestrial realms).2.    Supplementary information on indicator computationo    File: Appendix S2_indicator computation.docxo    Description: Supplementary information on the weighting schemes for species occurrence and IUCN conservation status used for the ERI indicator (Text S2.1) and on the methods used for computing ecological proximity and distance for the ECI indicator (Text S2.2).3.    Protected areas extension scenarioso    File: Appendix S3_protected areas scenarios.docxo    Description: Supplementary information on the simulations of protected areas extension scenarios in Switzerland, exemplifying a potential use of the dataset. Includes Text S3.1. Simulating protected areas extension scenarios in Switzerland, Figure S3.1. Simulated protected areas figures, and Code S3.1. R script.

List of taxonomic groups included in the dataset and their contribution to the terrestrial and aquatic aggregations. See the taxonomic group summary table in the main manuscript and the detailed species list in Appendix S1 for further details.

   




Taxonomic Group

Terrestrial
Aquatic


Amphibians
Yes
Yes


Bees
Yes
No


Beetles
Yes
No


Birds
Yes
Yes


Bryophytes
Yes
Yes


Butterflies
Yes
No


Dragonflies
No
Yes


Fishes
No
Yes


Fungi
Yes
No


Grasshoppers
Yes
No


Lichens
Yes
No


Mammals
Yes
Yes


Mayflies–Stoneflies–Caddisflies
No
Yes


Molluscs
Yes
Yes


Reptiles
Yes
Yes


Spiders
Yes
No


Vascular Plants
Yes
Yes