The worldwide conservation effort has often been focused on a few key species which have a core function either ecologically or socioeconomically. These species, scientists believe are important for the long term survival of Homo Sapiens. To develop the concept of key species a technical workshop was held in Trinidad and Tobago. The objective was to equate diverse views on what are key species and how to identify and conserve them in the context of current socioeconomic development. The first part of this book gives a complete report of the proceedings of the workshop. The second part contains the results of the first attempts by five member countries of the Commonwealth to identify key species in their respective countries based on the concepts given in the first part.