Spanish edition ("Una Evaluación del Estado de Conservación de las Eco-regiones Terrestres de America Latina y el Caribe"). Published in association with the World Wildlife Fund. Describes a new strategy for conserving biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean and identifies ecoregions that deserve high-priority action. This handbook presents a framework for prioritizing conservation action in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), based on the biological distinctiveness and conservation status of natural communities. To ensure that all biologically meaningful communities are represented, the authors subdivide LAC into 5 major ecosystem types, 11 major habitat types, and 191 ecoregions. After explaining their methodology and presenting the results of their assessments, the authors rank the ecoregions to identify priorities for biodiversity conservation. Such rankings--together with economic, social, political, and institutional considerations--can guide the investment activities of the World Bank, national policymakers, donors, and nongovernmental organizations. The handbook includes a poster-sized color map as well as 11 full-page maps (9 in color). Also available in English: (ISBN 0-8213-3295-3) Stock No. 13295.