This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/cobi.13321. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Practical actions for applied systematic conservation planning Emily Anne Botts, Genevieve Pence CapeNature Stephen Holness Nelson Mandela University Kerry Sink South African National Biodiversity Institute Andrew Skowno South African National Biodiversity Institute; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town Amanda Driver South African National Biodiversity Institute Linda R. Harris Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University Philip Desmet Nelson Mandela University Boyd Escott Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Mervyn Lötter Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency Jeanne Nel Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit; Sustainability Research Unit, Nelson Mandela University Tammy Smith South African National Biodiversity Institute