A Dataset on the Biodiversity Footprints and Sectoral Differences in China

Abstract

In the context of industrial regionalization and globalization, biodiversity footprints are potentially transferred through supply chain networks. Current research on biodiversity footprints primarily focuses on global scales or developed regions, with limited understanding of biodiversity loss patterns in developing countries. We develop this dataset by constructing species threats satellite account to quantify threats posed by 19 industrial sectors across 30 provinces in China. We provide two versions of the biodiversity footprint dataset: one encompassing 446 species (including Near Threatened species) and the other limited to 352 species (excluding Near Threatened species). Results show that incorporating Near Threatened species significantly alters biodiversity footprint assessments across taxonomic, sectoral and provincial dimensions. Overall, there was a significant spatial variation in biodiversity footprint among provinces. While industry rankings differ regionally, agriculture remains a leading contributor in most provinces. This database supports the development of place-specific biodiversity protection strategies, and the integration of biodiversity conservation into the industrial relocation initiatives, particularly in biodiversity hotspot areas in Southwest China, such as provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan.