In this study, we developed 9 alternative sets of terrestrial cores based on various combinations of different biodiversity surrogates (species, ecosystems, and geophysical settings). We evaluated the compositional and spatial overlap among cores, and modeled the impact of 70 years of urban growth and climate change on future landscapes assuming each set of cores was protected. Each of the sets of cores (including the HUC6 Nature’s Network cores) are included in the data. [updated 9/10/18]