LAUSR

This special section is a result of a workshop on “Optimizing and unlocking investment in ecological infrastructure in South Africa” held on 15– 19 November, 2015 at Shelley Point in South Africa. The workshop was hosted by the Department of Environmental Affairs of South Africa, in collaboration with the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) initiative of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP), and The Australian National University. The workshop was organized directly following the 8th Annual Ecosystem Services Partnership Conference held at Stellenbosch, South Africa, entitled “Ecosystem Services for Nature, People and Prosperity.” Selected participants from this conference were invited to participate in the workshop. The objectives of the workshop were: