RESUMEN Los desechos derivados del proceso de perforación en las plataformas marinas petroleras pueden dejar hasta 200 000 toneladas de residuos de perforación en los ecosistemas marinos. El principal agente contaminante son los lodos de perforación petrolera (LPPs), que son usados para enfriar y lubricar la broca de perforación, además de contrarrestar fuerzas de presión y posibles fugas de hidrocarburos. Se sabe que los LPPs tienen un efecto contaminante y tóxico observándose alteraciones en los ecosistemas y efectos adversos en organismos invertebrados marinos, debidos principalmente a la presencia de barita y trazas de metales pesados. En este trabajo se realizaron experimentos de exposición hiperagudos con mezclas completas de lodos de perforación base agua (WBM) a máximos niveles de concentración en colonias de Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus. Los resultados mostraron cambios significativos (p < 0,001) en la morfología de los pólipos inmediatamente después del contacto con WBM, con un incremento 1,5 veces en el diámetro del pólipo y una retracción en la longitud de los tentáculos del 75 %. Después de la exposición (fase de recuperación), se observó una disminución de biomasa a las 72 h con pérdida del 50 % de los pólipos y una reducción de la mata estolonal cercana al 50 % (p < 0,01). Efectos similares han sido reportados en otras especies de cnidarios, como los corales, donde se observó retracción de pólipos y zonas expuestas de exoesqueleto. La exposición a WBM genera irritación tisular en exposición directa y en casos severos pérdida de biomasa.

ABSTRACT Wastes derived from the drilling process on offshore oil platforms can leave up to 200 000 tons of cuttings in marine ecosystems. The principal pollutants in cuttings are drilling muds (DM). The DM are used to cool and lubricate the drill bit, counteract pressure forces and possible hydrocarbon leaks. DM contaminate the marine environment and have toxic adverse effects upon marine invertebrate organisms, mainly due to the presence of barite and traces of heavy metals. In this research, hyperacute exposure experiments were performed with complete mixtures of water-based drilling muds (WBM) at maximum concentration levels in Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus colonies. Results showed significant changes (p < 0.001) in polyp morphology immediately after contact with WBM, with a 1.5-fold increase in its diameter and a 75 % of retraction in the length of the tentacles. A biomass loss was observed after exposure (recovery phase). Near 50 % of polyps and stolonal mat were bioabsorbed with statistical significance (p < 0.01) at 72 h. Similar effects have been reported in other species of cnidarians, such as corals, where there is retraction of polyps and exoskeleton exposed areas also observed. Exposure to WBM generates tissue irritation and extreme cases loss of biomass.

Abstract Couple relationships, as the fundamental basis of family relationships, is a crucial dimension within the lives of people that also impacts on their happiness and well-being. These relationships are underpinned by mutual caring and attachment bonds, which, properly developed, entail a source of emotional and social support. This support also contributes to build the identity, improve the social competence, and, ultimately, strengthen own and family well-being. This topic is likely to arouse the interest at a social and scientific level and is addressed from several disciplines such as Psychology, Sociology, Pedagogy, or Social Work. This interest has provided this topic with a broad overview in the related research, being addressed from different paradigms and study prospects. This study is aimed at analyzing the research conducted on couple relationships from 2000 to 2018 in Spanish-speaking countries. Therefore, we present a systematic review of 83 scientific publications retrieved after an extensive search in the main databases (WOS, SCOPUS, Dialnet Plus, Redalyc, and ISOC) and the search engine Google Scholar. Specifically, the study specifies the dimensions and variables that have been the subject of study among these relationships, their objectives and methods (with particular emphasis on the instruments used), and the sample type and size the authors deemed necessary. In addition to the year of publication and the geographical delimitation, it was also included as criteria the publication format (only scientific papers) and papers with a Social Sciences content with topics not related to violence. Results suggest that most researchers follow an entirely quantitative methodology, tend to use validated instruments, have samples up to 250 participants, and address traditional topics such as satisfaction, sexuality, and communication in couples. Also, the predominant trend is to focus on a single thematic content, being lower the presence of studies addressing the interaction between two topics (e.g., satisfaction and communication), and even least common those studies that extend the dimensions analyzed to three or more. Regarding the content, the papers reviewed confirm the thinking that the couple’s well-being and their satisfaction has a multicausal nature, which goes beyond the couple, since it includes the influence of the couple’s social and cultural context. In this regard, specific socio-demographic characteristics such as having children, gender, and relationship duration seem to have a greater impact and arouse more interest than others. To complement this work, it is also included other topics usually related to how the couples are shaped and the satisfaction perceived, such as, for example, the fear of intimacy and anxiety, the sense of humor, the psychological well-being, and living with a positive family context. Furthermore, the publications addressed allow to locate emerging topics, such as the use of technology and its impact on the couple relationships, and also reveal the absence of studies integrating new structures of couple relationships, like polyamory. In conclusion, this review helps to get a general overview of the topic studied in order to suggest further research or expand the research already conducted. Similarly, the information provided encourages researchers to replicate the studies analyzed with different samples (location, age, sample size, etc.) and with more ambitious methodological design given that, though exceptionally, there are results which buck against the current predominant trends, and to complement this study focused on Spanish-speaking research with English, French and Portuguese publications.

Resumen La relación de pareja es una dimensión central de la vida de las personas que repercute en su felicidad y bienestar. Este tema es de interés para diversas disciplinas, teniendo un amplio recorrido en investigación, y ha sido abordado desde diferentes paradigmas y perspectivas de estudio. Con el objetivo de analizar las investigaciones llevadas a cabo sobre relaciones de pareja desde el año 2000 al 2018, se revisan 83 publicaciones localizadas tras una búsqueda exhaustiva en las principales bases de datos. Los resultados apuntan a que la mayoría de las investigaciones optan por una metodología exclusivamente cuantitativa, tienden a emplear instrumentos ya validados, cuentan con muestras de hasta 250 participantes y abordan temas clásicos como la satisfacción, la sexualidad o la comunicación en pareja. La información aportada permite obtener una visión global del tema de estudio y está encaminada a poder replicar, proponer nuevas o ampliar las investigaciones ya realizadas.

SUMMARY Forests degradation in arid and semi-arid lands may conduct to the formation of “fertility islands” due to the accumulation of soil particles, water, nutrients and biomass under trees and shrubs. In the Arid Chaco fertility islands are characterised by the presence of Prosopis flexuosa and Larrea divaricata. The objective was to evaluate biophysical variables in soil, microclimate and the plant response under canopy and in intercanopy. Infiltrability, microtopography, soil bulk density, soil and air moisture and temperatura, and light were measured under the canopy, at the limit of the canopy and in the intercanopy. These variables were correlated with the litter and plant frequencies associated with the fertility islands. P flexuosa canopy and litter understorey tend to maintain more soil moisture compared with the intercanopy, by reducing soil and air temperature and by increasing air moisture. This increases the frequency of Dyksterhuis' decreaser species. Under L. divaricata the canopy effect is not as effective as that of P flexuosa and understorey plant response is not significative.

RESUMEN La degradación de bosques en zonas áridas y semiáridas puede conducir a la formación de "islas de fertilidad" por acumulación de partículas de suelo, agua, nutrientes y biomasa debajo de árboles y arbustos. En el Chaco Árido las islas de fertilidad están caracterizadas por la presencia de Prosopis flexuosa y Larrea divaricata. El objetivo fue evaluar variables biofísicas del suelo, del microclima y la respuesta de las plantas bajo y fuera de su canopia.La capacidad de infiltración, microtopografía, densidad aparente del suelo, humedad y temperatura del suelo y del aire, y luz se midieron debajo, en el límite y fuera de la canopia. Estas variables se correlacionaron con la frecuencia del mantillo y de las plantas asociadas a las islas de fertilidad. La canopia de P flexuosa y el mantillo en el sotobosque tienden a conservar más humedad edáfica en comparación con la intercanopia, al reducir la temperatura del suelo y del aire, y al aumentar la humedad del aire. Esto aumenta la frecuencia de las especies decrecientes de Dyksterhuis. Bajo L. divaricata el efecto de dosel no es tan efectivo como el de P flexuosa y la respuesta de las plantas bajo canopia no es significativa.

Introduction: The number of asthmatic patients attending the public health system is increasing. However, the rate of adherence to treatment is very low. Adolescents have the largest percentage of abandonment to treatment, lack of control and a great decisional conflict (DC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of counseling on the DC in relation to asthma treatment and the level of control of their disease. Materials and Methods: Pre-experimental study that recruited 32 asthmatic children from 10 to 14 years-old, from the children's respiratory outpatients clinic of Carlos Van Buren hospital in Valparaíso, Chile. Only 15 children were willing to participate in the study and completed all of the counseling sessions. To determine the degree of DC of its pathology, the Ottawa Decision Conflict Scale was applied; and for the Asthma Control level, the Global Initiative for Asthma Scale (GINA) was used. Results: Mean children age was 12.06 ± 1.16 years-old. After the intervention, the level of Asthma Control was maintained and the mean of the DC decrease from 34.05 ± 4.59 to 18.02 ± 3.01 points (p < 0.05; paired Student's t-test). 73.3% of the patients lowered their level of decisional conflict. Conclusion: The counseling of decision support proved to have positive effects on the population studied.

Resumen Introducción: La cantidad de pacientes asmáticos que asisten al sistema público de salud es cada vez mayor, no obstante, la tasa de adherencia al tratamiento es muy baja, siendo los adolescentes quienes presentan mayor porcentaje de abandono al tratamiento, inasistencia a sus controles y gran conflicto decisional (CD). El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de consejerías sobre el CD en relación al tratamiento del asma y el nivel de control de su enfermedad. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio pre-experimental que reclutó a 32 niños asmáticos entre 10 a 14 años de edad del policlínico respiratorio infantil del hospital Carlos Van Buren de Valparaíso. Solo 15 niños estuvieron dispuestos a participar en el estudio quienes completaron la totalidad de las sesiones de consejería. Para determinar el grado de CD de su patología, se aplicó la Escala de Conflicto Decisional de Ottawa; y para el nivel del control del asma, se usó la Escala Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Resultados: La edad media del grupo de niños fue de 12,06 ± 1,16 años. Finalizada la intervención, el nivel de control de asma se mantuvo y la media del CD disminuyó de 34,05 ± 4,59 a 18,02 ± 3,01 puntos (p < 0,05; t de Student para muestras pareadas). Un 73,3% de los pacientes disminuyó su nivel de conflicto decisional. Conclusión: Las consejerías de apoyo decisional demostraron tener efectos positivos en la población estudiada.

Abstract: In this work, we report the fabrication of bismuth thin films on glass substrates by Pulsed Laser Deposition. A focused beam of a Nd:YAG laser (9 ns, 10 Hz, 1064 and 532 nm) was utilized to carry out the ablation of a high purity Bi target. The per pulse laser fluence was varied between 0.95 and 1.35 J/cm2, depending on the laser wavelength used. The deposits were characterized by SEM and XRD to analyze the surface morphology of thin films and their crystalline structure, respectively. The SEM micrographs showed differences in roughness, which increased with the laser wavelength. The diffractograms revealed the formation of Bi thin films with a polycrystalline structure or with a preferential orientation, depending on the mean kinetic energy of the plasma ions. The as deposited bismuth thin films were irradiated with a non-focused laser beam at low energies below the ablation threshold. In the laser treated area, it could be observed the formation of periodic structures, known as LIPSS (laser induced periodic surface structures). Depending on the crystallographic structure of the irradiated film, the formed LIPSS showed different characteristics, such as width and shape.

Resumo: A modalidade e-learning tornou-se em um método que permitiu aos profissionais da saúde atualizar seus conhecimentos. Esta forma de ensino facilita a construção de aprendizagem colaborativa entre quem participa em foros de discussão. Objetivo: Descrever a construção de conhecimento colaborativo de profissionais da saúde das comunidades virtuais de aprendizagem que participam em cursos do Programa de Educação Continuada da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade Católica do Chile em 2014. Método: Estudo misto quantitativo descritivo e qualitativo com análise de conteúdo segundo Earl Babbie e baseado no modelo de Gunawardena. Resultados: A construção de conhecimento realiza-se, predominantemente, nas fase I e II modelo de Gunawardena. Conclusão: Se bem os foros permitem a construção de conhecimento colaborativo, em áreas específicas do saber, ao igual que alguns outros estudos reportados na literatura, o conhecimento só atinge as primeiras etapas do modelo de Gunawardena, que implicaria que compartilham informação e estabelecem desacordos entre os argumentos, mas não se consegue uma maior aprendizagem, quer dizer, geram uma proposta com as ideias do grupo, contrastam o discutido com a experiência pessoal ou informação existente, no entanto, não aplicam os novos conhecimentos construídos.

Abstract: E-learning modality has become a method which has allowed health professionals to update their knowledge. It is a teaching strategy which facilitates the collaborative knowledge building among those participating in the discussion forums. Objective: To describe collaborative knowledge building among health professionals in learning virtual communities who participate in courses of the Continuous Education Program of the Nursing School of the Catholic University of Chile in 2014. Method: This is a quantitative, descriptive, and qualitative study with content analysis following the guidelines of Earl Babbie and based on the Gunawardena model. Results: Knowledge building takes place, mainly, in stages II and II of the Gunawardena model. Conclusion: While these forums allow the building of collaborative knowledge in some specific areas, as it was reported in other studies, this knowledge only reaches the first stages of the Gunawardena model, which means that there is information sharing, and arguments are agreed or disagreed, but there is no further learning; in other words, the proposed group’s ideas contrast the discussions around personal experiences or existing knowledge, however, the new built knowledge is not applied.

Resumen: La modalidad e-learning se ha convertido en un método que ha permitido a los profesionales de la salud actualizar sus conocimientos. Esta forma de enseñanza facilita la construcción de aprendizaje colaborativo entre quienes participan en foros de discusión. Objetivo: Describir la construcción de conocimiento colaborativo de profesionales de la salud de las comunidades virtuales de aprendizaje que participan en cursos del Programa de Educación Continua de la Escuela de Enfermería de la Universidad Católica de Chile en 2014. Método: Estudio mixto cuantitativo descriptivo y cualitativo con análisis de contenido según Earl Babbie y basado en el modelo de Gunawardena. Resultados: La construcción de conocimiento se realiza, predominantemente, en las fases I y II del modelo de Gunawardena. Conclusión: Si bien los foros permiten la construcción de conocimiento colaborativo, en áreas específicas del saber, al igual que algunos otros estudios reportados en la literatura, el conocimiento alcanza solo las primeras etapas del modelo de Gunawardena, que implicaría que comparten información y establecen desacuerdos entre los argumentos, pero no se lograría un mayor aprendizaje, es decir, generan una propuesta con las ideas del grupo, contrastan lo discutido con la experiencia personal o información existente, sin embargo no aplican los nuevos conocimientos construidos.

The definition of limits of any geographic unit, based in the physiography of the landscape, is useful at the moment of developing environmental management politics and guidelines. Several authors have divided the Argentine Republic into regions according to the characteristics of native vegetation. The resulting units are known as phytogeographic provinces. The Monte Phytogeography Province is one of the largest ecoregions of the country and is defined as a unit where the environmental aspects are complex and difficult to categorize. In the present paper, a review of the limits of this phytogeographic province is made, according to bibliographic records of different authors. Survey trips were made and the collected data was georeferenced. A geographic information system was created with geodata and through records analysis, field work and adopting several criteria for its evaluation; the adjusted limits for the ecoregion were adjusted. A new map of the Monte Phytogeography Province is proposed for its use as input in the application of politics in the territory.

La definición de límites de cualquier unidad geográfica, en base a la fisiografía del paisaje, resulta útil al momento de desarrollar políticas de gestión territorial y pautas de manejo ambiental. Distintos autores han divido la República Argentina en regiones de acuerdo a las características de su vegetación nativa. Las unidades resultantes se conocen como provincias fitogeográficas. La Provincia Fitogeográfica del Monte es una de las más extensas del país y se caracteriza por ser una unidad donde los aspectos ambientales son complejos y difíciles de categorizar. En el presente trabajo se realiza una revisión de los límites de esta provincia fitogeográfica, conforme a los antecedentes bibliográficos de diferentes autores. Se realizaron viajes de relevamiento y se georreferenció la información colectada. En gabinete se generó un sistema de información geográfica con geodatos y a partir del análisis de antecedentes, trabajos de campo y adoptando distintos criterios de evaluación se digitalizaron los límites ajustados de la región. Se propone un nuevo mapa de la Provincia Fitogeográfica del Monte para ser utilizado como insumo en la aplicación de políticas sobre el territorio.

Introduction: The Health students are likely to experience anxiety, depression and stress freshman year, affecting their performance and adaptation. The scant evidence of the relationship between personality like dispositional-condition with the above symptoms, limited understanding of this phenomenon in the studied sample. Objective: To establish the relationship of the dimensions of personality, anxiety, depression and stress freshmen in medical and nursing. Method: We surveyed the Kernberg inventory of personality organization and scale of depression, anxiety and stress, to a sample of 110 university/as first-year medical and nursing schools, three universities of La Serena and Coquimbo, data thrown by two instruments were correlated using r Pearson’s. Results: It was found correlation between all dimensions of personality organization, with anxiety, depression and stress. In addition, 47% have anxiety, depression 28% and 44% stress amid a severe ranges. A 65% rate with borderline personality structure where two dimensions of personality have high values. Conclusion: It is found that the greater integration of the personality, the lower the level of anxiety, depression and stress, Since it is proposed to evaluate early both conditions would guide remedial actions that favor the development of these students early stages of the learning process moreover the discussion arises around being considered to evaluate behaviors entries in the selection process to the races.

Introducción: Los estudiantes de salud están proclives a presentar ansiedad, depresión y estrés en el primer año de carrera, afectándose su desempeño y adaptación. La escasa evidencia de la relación entre la personalidad -como condición disposicional- con los síntomas antes mencionados, limita la comprensión de este fenómeno en la muestra estudiada. Objetivo: Establecer la relación de las dimensiones de personalidad, con la ansiedad, depresión y estrés en estudiantes de primer año de medicina y enfermería. Método: Se encuestó con el inventario de organización de personalidad de Kernbergy la escala de depresión, ansiedad y estrés, a una muestra de 110 universitarios/as de primer año de medicina y enfermería, de tres universidades de La Serena y Coquimbo, los datos arrojados por ambos instrumentos se correlacionaron usando r de Pearson. Resultados: Se encontró correlación entre todas las dimensiones de organización de la personalidad, con la ansiedad, depresión y estrés. Además, un 47% presenta ansiedad, 28% depresión y 44% estrés, en rangos medio a muy severo. Un 65% califica con estructura de personalidad limítrofe donde dos dimensiones de personalidad presentan valores altos. Conclusión: Se constata que a mayor integración de la personalidad, menor es el nivel de ansiedad, depresión y estrés, A partir de ello se propone que evaluar tempranamente ambas condiciones permitiría orientar acciones paliativas que favorezcan el desarrollo de estos estudiantes en etapas iniciales del proceso formativo, por otra parte, se plantea la discusión en torno a ser consideradas conductas de entradas a evaluar en los procesos de selección a las carreras.

Introduction: Obsession with thinness and body dissatisfaction can lead adolescents to follow unsupervised diets, which could result in risky weight control behaviors such as fasting, vomiting, use of diuretics and laxatives. The aim of the current study is to examine weight control behaviors in dieting adolescents and relate them to body dissatisfaction (BD) and obsession with thinness (OT). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 439 adolescents from Valparaiso public schools to investigate risky weight control behaviors due to BD and OT scales from the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2), comparing restrained eaters and non-restrained eaters. Results: A total of 43% adolescents had followed a weight loss diet without medical supervision. The dieters had higher BD and OT values. Moderate to severe food restriction, based on expert judgment, was observed in 29.6%, and differences in the presence and severity of purging behaviors were found between the 2 groups. Conclusions: One third of the adolescents studied followed diets without professional supervision and had higher BD and OT values, as well as risky weight control behaviors. Overweight and obese adolescents followed more restrictive diets and developed riskier weight control behaviors.

Introducción: La obsesión por la delgadez y la insatisfacción corporal pueden llevar a las adolescentes a seguir dietas sin supervisión, lo que podría asociarse además a conductas riesgosas de control de peso, tales como ayuno, vómitos, uso de diuréticos y laxantes. El objetivo fue explorar conductas de control de peso en adolescentes dietantes y relacionarlas con insatisfacción corporal (IC) y obsesión por la delgadez (DT). Pacientes y Método: Estudio transversal en 439 adolescentes de colegios públicos de Valparaíso diseñado para indagar conductas de control de peso riesgosas a través de escalas de IC y DT del Cuestionario de Trastornos Alimentarios (EDI-2), comparando dietantes y no dietantes. Resultados: El 43% había realizado dieta sin supervisión médica. Las dietantes presentan valores superiores en DT e IC. El 29,6% de ellas presenta restricción alimentaria de riesgo moderado a alto, tomando como base el criterio de expertos, y se encuentran diferencias en la presencia y severidad de las conductas purgativas de control de peso entre los dos grupos estudiados. Conclusiones: Un tercio de las adolescentes estudiadas hacen dietas sin supervisión profesional, presentan mayor IC y DT y conductas riesgosas de control de peso. Aquellas con sobrepeso y obesidad realizan dietas más restrictivas y conductas de control de peso más riesgosas.

In this paper we report results of the characterization of quantum dots (QDs) in acetone solution obtained by laser ablation of a cadmium telluride (CdTe) target. The laser ablation of CdTe was carried out by using pulses of 30 ps from a Nd: YAG laser. With the aim of varying the concentration of QDs in the solution, samples at different irradiation times were obtained. CdTe-colloidal solutions were characterized by UV-Vis and photoluminiscence spectroscopy. The size and shape of the quantum dots were obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM), showing spherical geometry nanostructures with a size distribution within a range of 4-200 nm, (average diameter of 6 nm. The photoluminescence spectra of CdTe quantum dots solutions show a broad band emission centered at 488 nm when the samples are excited 369 nm.

En este trabajo se presentan resultados sobre la caracterización de puntos cuánticos (PCs) en un medio líquido (acetona) obtenidos por ablación láser a partir de un blanco de Teluro de Cadmio (CdTe). La ablación de CdTe se llevó a cabo mediante un láser de Nd-YAG con pulsos láser de 30 picosegundos. Con el propósito de variar la concentración en la solución de PCs, se realizaron experimentos a diferentes tiempos de irradiación. Las soluciones coloidales de CdTe fueron caracterizadas por espectroscopia UV-Vis y de fotoluminiscencia. El tamaño y forma de los puntos cuánticos generados se determinaron por microscopía electrónica de transmisión (TEM, HRTEM), de donde se confirmó la obtención de nanoestructuras con geometría esférica con una distribución de tamaños entre 4 y 200 nm, centrado en 6 nm. El espectro de fotoluminiscencia de los puntos cuánticos en solución mostró una banda de emisión centrada en 488 nm cuando se excita con luz ultravioleta de 369 nm.

Climatic, productive and economic variability have made the dwellers of Salinas Grandes (Catamarca) adopt diversification strategies for economic activities, implementing multiple use systems, due to the great diversity of environments and resources. The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationships between conditional variables and economic diversification, and to identify life strategies that have set the communities to adopt multiple use systems in Salinas Grandes. Rapid rural diagnoses were made over 81 families from 13 communities of this region. We calculated land use areas for each community, and made floristic censuses over five characteristic environments. With the obtained data, we built economic diversity and biodiversity indexes; we made regressions among the obtained variables. The farmers that raise cattle diversify less because they can capitalize of decapitalize depending on the situation. The ones that cannot perform this activity, due mainly to ecological conditions of their lands, must diversify their production, mainly by goat raising. Total land incomes depend basically on land area and not on vegetation diversity.

La variabilidad climática, productiva y económica ha hecho que los pobladores de Salinas Grandes (Catamarca) adopten estrategias de diversificación de actividades económicas, implementando sistemas de uso múltiple, gracias a la gran diversidad de ambientes y recursos aquí presentes. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las relaciones entre variables condicionales y la diversificación económica e identificar las estrategias de vida que han llevado a estas comunidades a adoptar sistemas de uso múltiple en las Salinas Grandes. Se realizaron diagnósticos rurales rápidos, relevando 81 familias pertenecientes a 13 comunidades de esta región. Se calcularon las superficies de uso de tierra por comunidad, se realizaron censos florísticos sobre cinco tipos de ambiente característicos. Con los datos obtenidos se construyeron índices de diversidad económica y de biodiversidad; se realizaron regresiones entre las variables obtenidas. Los productores que realizan ganadería bovina de cría son quienes menos diversifican, debido a que pueden capitalizarse y descapitalizarse según la ocasión. Aquellos que no pueden realizar esta actividad, debido principalmente a las condiciones ecológicas de su predio, deben diversificar su producción, dedicándose principalmente a la cría de caprinos. Los ingresos prediales totales dependen fundamentalmente de la extensión del predio y no de la diversidad de especies vegetales.

In Copiapó Valley, the 3th Region of Chile, a three-year study (2007-2009) was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic amendments and cover crops on soil physical properties (Typic Haplocambid) in a table grape (Vitis vinifera) orchard. Four treatments were established during three seasons: control without organic amendments (T1), broad bean-corn-rape rotation (T2), goat manure addition (15 t ha-1) (T3) and corn-broad bean-barley rotation (T4). Soils measurements, bulk density, pore size distribution, aggregate stability, water repellence and air conductivity were conducted on soil samples collected at three soil depths (0-10, 10-30 and 30-50 cm). Saturated hydraulic conductivity and mechanical strength were also evaluated. On grape plant measurements, root development, pruning weight and harvested grape production were evaluated. Soil bulk density was reduced with goat manure addition in comparison with any other treatment, which resulted in lower mechanical strength in the top soils. None of the treatments had negative effects on water repellency. The crop treatments enhanced the coarse porosity throughout the soil profile, improving the continuity of porous system with their root development and inducing high air conductivity. Other hand, the control soil and manure application showed a pore discontinuity in a pre-existing plow pan. Aggregate stability and saturated hydraulic conductivity were greater in goat manure application, but the treatments which included crop rotation did not show significant differences compared with the control. Because of the short duration of the study, it is assumed that the soil improvements were not detected as expected in grape production yet.