This thesis contains seven chapters that deals with the intergration of ecosystem services into conservation planning in South Africa. It starts with a review on the inclusion of ecosystem services in conservation plans, through the mapping of key ecosystem services in South Africa, to the tradeoffs and cost of safeguarding ecosystem services and biodiversity in some parts of South Africa.

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree Doctor of Philosophy at Stellenbosch University. The data was created as one of five important ecosystem services mapped as part of a PhD research project at Stellenbosch University.