The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) identification is based on consistent, scientifically rigorous yet practical methods. The KBA Guidelines provide an overview of the steps for identifying and delineating KBAs, together with explanation of how the KBA criteria, thresholds and delineation procedures should be applied in practice. The primary audience for the KBA Guidelines includes individuals or organisations interested in proposing or reviewing KBAs.