Consumo de tabaco de liar en el País Vasco: magnitud, desigualdades socioeconómicas y evolución en el periodo 2013-2018 / Use of Roll Your Own Tobacco in the Basque Country: magnitude, socio-economic inequalities and evolution in the period 2013-2018

Fundamentos: A pesar de la reducción del número de personas fumadoras a nivel mundial, el consumo de tabaco de liar ha aumentado en los últimos años en muchos países, lo que puede frenar la tendencia descendente del hábito tabáquico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la evolución del número de personas que consumen tabaco de liar y tabaco de cualquier tipo entre 2013 y 2018 en el País Vasco y determinar si existían desigualdades socioeconómicas en su consumo. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional y transversal de una muestra representativa de la población residente en el País Vasco de dieciséis a cincuenta y nueve años (n 2013=6.929 y n 2018=7.961) a partir de la Encuesta de Salud del País Vasco (años 2013 y 2018) y de la Encuesta sobre Adicciones de Euskadi (2018). Se calcularon las prevalencias de consumo habitual de tabaco en general y de tabaco de liar según diferentes variables socioeconómicas para los años 2013 y 2018, así como las razones de prevalencia para la estimación del cambio entre esos años y según las variables anteriores mediante modelos de regresión de Poisson robusto. Los análisis se estratificaron por sexo y por dos grupos de edad. RESULTADOS // La prevalencia de consumo de tabaco en general disminuyó entre 2013 (hombres=27,7% y mujeres=24,1%) y 2018 (hombres=24,1% y mujeres=18,6%), pero se mantuvo en el caso del consumo de tabaco de liar (en 2013, hombres=5,1% y mujeres=3,2%; en 2018, 5,4% y 3,5%, respectivamente). A diferencia del consumo de tabaco en general, que presentó un claro gradiente socioeconómico, el consumo de tabaco de liar fue más prevalente entre las personas jóvenes (en 2018, hombres=6,4% y mujeres=4,1%), grupo en el que el patrón por posición socioeconómica era menos evidente. Conclusiones: Considerando la persistencia en el consumo de tabaco de liar, es preciso dirigir también la lucha contra el tabaquismohacia...(AU)

Background: Despite the global reduction in smoking, the consumption of roll-your-own tobacco has increased in recent years in many countries, which may be slowing down the downward trend in smoking. The aim of this paper was to analyse the evolution of the number of people who use roll-your-own tobacco and tobacco of any type between 2013 and 2018 in the Basque Country and measure whether there were socioeconomic inequalities in its consumption. Methods: We carried out an observational and cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the population living in the Basque Country aged 16 to 59 years (n2013=6929 y n2018=7961) from the Basque Health Survey (2013 and 2018) and the Basque Addictions Survey (2018). We calculated prevalences of regular tobacco smoking in general and of roll-your-own cigarettes according to different socioeconomic variables for the years 2013 and 2018, as well as prevalence ratios for the estimation of change between these years and according to the above variables through robust Poisson regression models. We stratified analyses by sex and two age groups.Results: Overall smoking prevalence decreased between 2013 (men=27.7% and women=24.1%) and 2018 but remained the same for those who used roll-your-own tobacco (in 2013, men=5.1% and women=3.2%; in 2018=5.4% and 3.5%, respectively). In contrast to tobacco in general, which showed a clear socio-economic gradient, roll-your-own tobacco use was more prevalent among young people (in 2018, men=6.4% and women=4.1%), a group where the pattern by socio-economic status was less evident.Conclusions: Considering the persistence of roll-your-own tobacco consumption, we also should direct tobacco control towards this kind of product, and its use should be monitored and supervised, especially among young people.(AU)

Hasta el último hombre (2016) y el personal médico de la Sanidad Militar de Euzkadi durante la Guerra Civil (1936-1937) / Hacksaw Ridge (2016) and the Healthcare Workers of the Basque Military Health Services During the Civil War (1936-1937)

Hasta el último hombre (2016) de Mel Gibson representa perfectamente la brutalidad de la guerra y una de sus contradicciones: aquellos que luchan juntos, pero mientras unos van armados y dispuestos a matar, los otros van desarmados y listos para arrebatar víctimas a la propia muerte. Soldados y sanitarios de primera línea no siempre bien avenidos, pero unidos por las circunstancias bélicas.A través de Hasta el último hombre (2016) y más concretamente estudiando su personaje principal, Desmond Doss, queremos analizar el personal de primera línea de la Sanidad Militar de Euzkadi durante la Guerra Civil española. Saber qué tipo de personal sanitario compartió el campo de batalla, cuáles eran sus funciones e identificar en qué categoría del personal sanitario de Euzkadi se encuadraría Desmond Doss. (AU)

War brutality is perfectly represented by Hacksaw Ridge (2016) by Mel Gibson, as well as one of its contradictions: among those men who fight together, there are some who are armed and ready to kill, whereas others are unarmed and ready to snatch casualties from the death itself. Relations between front line soldiers and healthcare workers were not always harmonius, but they were put together under war circumstances.Through «Hacksaw Ridge», and focusing on its main character, who is called Desmond Doos, we intend to analyze the front line personnel of the military health service of Euzkadi during the Spanish Civil War. Also, we want to identify in which healthcare personnel category Desmond Doss would fit within, which his role would have been, as well as with who other type of health workers he would have shared battlefield. (AU)

Real-life results in treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration with anti-VEGF therapy. Analysis of 122 patients from a single centre.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has improved significantly since the advent of antiangiogenic treatments. However, several «real life¼ studies have shown lower number of injections and a markedly worse visual prognosis than pivotal clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of the treatment of neovascular AMD and analyse clinical factors related to the functional and structural prognosis in routine clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, observational, single-centre study that included 143 eyes of 122 patients diagnosed with neovascular AMD between the years 2015 and 2016, who received treatment with antiangiogenic drugs and were followed up for two or more years. RESULTS: Visual acuity improved in 45% of patients after two years of treatment. The mean decrease in central macular thickness was 85 µm (p < 0.001) and the mean number of injections was 13. Retinal pigment epithelium rupture was present in 3.5%. Ranibizumab was the drug most used as a first option, although 79 patients (55.2%) required a change in treatment, most being switched to aflibercept. A greater number of visits (p < 0.001) and a lower number of injections (p < 0.01) were predictors of worse structural outcome. The number of visits was associated with better visual acuity (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment has demonstrated its efficacy by improving visual acuity and central macular thickness. However, the number of injections performed has generally been higher than in other real-life studies.

Resultados de vida real en el tratamiento de la degeneración macular asociada a la edad neovascular con terapia anti-VEGF. Análisis de 122 pacientes de un solo centro / Real-life results in treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration with anti-VEGF therapy. Analysis of 122 patients from a single centre

Antecedentes El pronóstico de la degeneración macular asociada a la edad (DMAE) ha mejorado significativamente desde la aparición de los tratamientos antiangiogénicos. Sin embargo, diversos estudios realizados en «vida real» han demostrado un número de inyecciones inferior y un pronóstico visual notablemente peor de los ensayos clínicos pivotales. Objetivo Valorar la efectividad y seguridad del tratamiento de la DMAE neovascular y analizar factores clínicos relacionados con el pronóstico funcional y estructural en la práctica clínica habitual. Materiales y métodos Estudio retrospectivo, observacional y unicéntrico. Se incluyeron 143 ojos de 122 pacientes diagnosticados de DMAE neovascular entre los años 2015 y 2016, que recibieron tratamiento con antiangiogénicos y con un seguimiento de dos o más años. Resultados La agudeza visual mejoró en el 45% de pacientes tras dos años de tratamiento. La disminución media de grosor macular central fue de 85 μm (p < 0,001) y el número medio de inyecciones fue de 13. Un 3,5% presentó una rotura del epitelio pigmentario. Ranibizumab fue el más utilizado como primera opción, aunque 79 pacientes (55,2%) requirieron un cambio de fármaco, pasando la mayoría a ser tratados con aflibercept. Fueron predictores de peor resultado estructural un mayor número de visitas (p < 0,001) y un menor número de inyecciones (p < 0,01). El número de visitas se asoció a mejor agudeza visual (p < 0,001). Conclusiones El tratamiento ha demostrado su eficacia mejorando la agudeza visual y el grosor macular central. Sin embargo, el número de inyecciones realizado ha sido en general superior al de otros estudios de vida real (AU)

Background The prognosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has improved significantly since the advent of antiangiogenic treatments. However, several «real life» studies have shown lower number of injections and a markedly worse visual prognosis than pivotal clinical trials. Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of the treatment of neovascular AMD and analyse clinical factors related to the functional and structural prognosis in routine clinical practice. Material and method Retrospective, observational, single-centre study that included 143 eyes of 122 patients diagnosed with neovascular AMD between the years 2015 and 2016, who received treatment with antiangiogenic drugs and were followed up for two or more years. Result Visual acuity improved in 45% of patients after two years of treatment. The mean decrease in central macular thickness was 85 microns (p < 0.001) and the mean number of injections was 13. Retinal pigment epithelium rupture was present in 3.5%. Ranibizumab was the drug most used as a first option, although 79 patients (55.2%) required a change in treatment, most being switched to aflibercept. A greater number of visits (p < 0.001) and a lower number of injections (p < 0.01) were predictors of worse structural outcome. The number of visits was associated with better visual acuity (p < 0.001). Conclusions The treatment has demonstrated its efficacy by improving visual acuity and central macular thickness. However, the number of injections performed has generally been higher than in other real-life studies (AU)

Incidence of Melanoma in the Basque Province of Álava, Spain, From 2015 to 2018: A Descriptive Study. / Estudio descriptivo de los pacientes diagnosticados de melanoma en la provincia de Álava (País Vasco) entre los años 2015 y 2018.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is rising fast, and its prevalence has doubled in the past 3 decades. Detailed local epidemiological information is essential for informing community-based prevention strategies and optimizing hospital resources. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included all patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma at Hospital Universitario Araba in the Basque province of Álava, Spain, between January 2015 and December 2018. We described clinical and pathologic characteristics and calculated annual incidence rates adjusted to the European standard population. RESULTS: A total of 242 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed between 2015 and 2018. The age-standardized annual incidence rose from 12.92 cases per 100 000 population in 2015 to 18.30 cases per 100 000 population in 2018. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of melanoma in our area is higher than that reported for Spanish series in 2017 and 2018. Lentigo maligna accounted for a high proportion of cases and was the second largest histologic subgroup.

Platos olvidados o de consumo ocasional en la gastronomía española: País Vasco / Forgotten dishes or occasional consumption in Spanish gastronomy: Basque Country

En un territorio no muy extenso, el mar y la montaña se abrazan creando un clima singular y una tierra privilegiada. Su cocina es el reflejo de la tierra, de la forma de vivir de los vascos y de su historia. La cocina vasca cuenta con un vasto recetario y una fuerte cocina popular. Al repertorio de alimentos presentes en la alimentación de los vascos se incorporaron nuevos productos procedentes del continente americano que con el tiempo desplazaron algunos de los alimentos básicos y se han convertido en clásicos imprescindibles en los fogones: alubias, tomates, pimientos. Una tradición culinaria basada en la calidad delos productos y técnicas sencillas que incorporaron procedimientos elaborados y sofisticados en el siglo XIX a partir de influencias europeas. A partir de 1977, el impulso de la nueva cocina vasca a permitido una extraordinaria evolución en la que conviven las nuevas tendencias con el culto a las tradiciones y peculiaridades gastronómicas, como los txokos y sociedades gastronómicas; los pintxos; sidrerías y tabernas. (AU)

In a not very extensive territory, the sea and the mountains embrace each other creating a unique climate and a privileged land. Its cuisine reflects the land, the Basque way of life and its history. Basque cuisinehas a vast recipe collection and a strong popular cuisine. New products from the American continent were added to the repertoire of foods present in the diet of the Basques. Over time displaced some of the basic foods and have become essential classics in the kitchen: beans, tomatoes, peppers. A culinary tradition based onthe quality of the products and simple techniques that incorporated elaborate and sophisticated procedures inthe 19th century based on European influences. Starting in 1977, the impulse of the new Basque cuisine has allowed an extraordinary evolution in which new trends coexist with the cult of gastronomic traditions and peculiarities, such as txokos and gastronomic societies; the pintxos; cider houses and taverns. (AU)

Estudio descriptivo de los pacientes diagnosticados de melanoma en la provincia de Álava (País Vasco) entre los años 2015 y 2018 / Incidence of Melanoma in the Basque Province of Álava, Spain, From 2015 to 2018: A Descriptive Study

Introducción: La incidencia del melanoma cutáneo está aumentando rápidamente y ha duplicado su prevalencia durante las últimas tres décadas. Tener un conocimiento detallado de la epidemiología local es fundamental para el desarrollo de estrategias de prevención comunitaria y optimizar los recursos hospitalarios. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes diagnosticados de melanoma cutáneo en el Hospital Universitario Araba, en la provincia de Álava del País Vasco, entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2018. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables clínico-patológicas y un análisis de la incidencia ajustado a la población europea. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 242 nuevos casos de melanoma entre 2015 y 2018. La incidencia estandarizada por edad ha aumentado de 12,92 en 2015 a 18,30 casos por 100.000 habitantes y año en 2018. Conclusiones: Hemos observado una incidencia de melanoma más elevada que en la publicada en series nacionales en los años 2017 y 2018. Además, existe una gran proporción del subtipo histológico de tipo lentigo maligno, ocupando el segundo subtipo histológico en frecuencia (AU)

Introduction: The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is rising fast, and its prevalence has doubled in the past 3 decades. Detailed local epidemiological information is essential for informing community-based prevention strategies and optimizing hospital resources. Material and methods: We included all patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma at Hospital Universitario Araba in the Basque province of Álava, Spain, between January 2015 and December 2018. We described clinical and pathologic characteristics and calculated annual incidence rates adjusted to the European standard population. Results: A total of 242 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed between 2015 and 2018. The age-standardized annual incidence rose from 12.92 cases per 100 000 population in 2015 to 18.30 cases per 100 000 population in 2018. Conclusions: The incidence of melanoma in our area is higher than that reported for Spanish series in 2017 and 2018. Lentigo maligna accounted for a high proportion of cases and was the second largest histologic subgrou (AU)

[Translated article] Incidence of Melanoma in the Basque Province of Álava, Spain, From 2015 to 2018: A Descriptive Study / Estudio descriptivo de los pacientes diagnosticados de melanoma en la provincia de Álava (País Vasco) entre los años 2015 y 2018

Introduction: The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is rising fast, and its prevalence has doubled in the past 3 decades. Detailed local epidemiological information is essential for informing community-based prevention strategies and optimizing hospital resources. Material and methods: We included all patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma at Hospital Universitario Araba in the Basque province of Álava, Spain, between January 2015 and December 2018. We described clinical and pathologic characteristics and calculated annual incidence rates adjusted to the European standard population. Results: A total of 242 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed between 2015 and 2018. The age-standardized annual incidence rose from 12.92 cases per 100 000 population in 2015 to 18.30 cases per 100 000 population in 2018. Conclusions: The incidence of melanoma in our area is higher than that reported for Spanish series in 2017 and 2018. Lentigo maligna accounted for a high proportion of cases and was the second largest histologic subgrou (AU)

Introducción: La incidencia del melanoma cutáneo está aumentando rápidamente y ha duplicado su prevalencia durante las últimas tres décadas. Tener un conocimiento detallado de la epidemiología local es fundamental para el desarrollo de estrategias de prevención comunitaria y optimizar los recursos hospitalarios. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes diagnosticados de melanoma cutáneo en el Hospital Universitario Araba, en la provincia de Álava del País Vasco, entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2018. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables clínico-patológicas y un análisis de la incidencia ajustado a la población europea. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 242 nuevos casos de melanoma entre 2015 y 2018. La incidencia estandarizada por edad ha aumentado de 12,92 en 2015 a 18,30 casos por 100.000 habitantes y año en 2018. Conclusiones: Hemos observado una incidencia de melanoma más elevada que en la publicada en series nacionales en los años 2017 y 2018. Además, existe una gran proporción del subtipo histológico de tipo lentigo maligno, ocupando el segundo subtipo histológico en frecuencia (AU)

[Nutrition and gastronomy in the Basque Country]. / Nutrición y gastronomía en el País Vasco.

INTRODUCTION: For centuries the traditional ingredients of food patterns in Basque Country were millet, chestnuts, cabbage, beans, lentils, fish, pork and beef especially, as well as a variety of fruits such as apples, pears and grapes. Later, the potato replaced chestnuts, corn replaced millet and beans replaced broad beans. In addition, tomatoes and peppers added to the vegetable repertoire. Cocoa also found great acceptance from the eighteenth century and the consumption of cider, especially among seamen, played a very important role in the prevention of scurvy. During the nineteenth century, the rise of industrialization led to important social changes and in food habits. The great romantic travelers and their stories contributed to the diffusion of uses and customs, among others, those related to culinary preparations and eating habits. Later, the growing interest in thermal baths also attracted visitors from France, Germany, Italy or Great Britain to the Basque Country, sometimes accompanied by their chefs and servants, who brought with them their own culinary practices to the Basque kitchens and restaurants. From 1977 and inspired by the Nouvelle cuisine, the new Basque cuisine emerged led by great chefs such as Juan Marí Arzak and Pedro Subijana, who soon brought together a large group that has led the current Basque cuisine to internationally recognized excellence. The new tendencies coexist with the cult to traditions and to specific forms of conviviality around the food: txokos and gastronomic societies; pintxos, pintxopote and cider houses.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Durante siglos, los ingredientes tradicionales de la alimentación en el País Vasco fueron el mijo, las castañas, la berza, las habas, las lentejas, el pescado y los mariscos y modestas cantidades de carne de cerdo y de ganado vacuno, sobre todo, además de frutas como manzanas, peras y uvas. Más tarde, la patata desplazó a las castañas, el maíz al mijo y las alubias a las habas, además de incorporar tomates y pimientos al repertorio de hortalizas. El cacao también encontró una gran aceptación a partir del siglo xviii, y el consumo de sidra, especialmente entre los marinos, desempeñó un papel muy importante en la prevención del escorbuto. Durante el siglo xix, el auge de la industrialización conllevó importantes transformaciones sociales, y también en la alimentación. Los grandes viajeros románticos y sus relatos contribuyeron a la difusión de usos y costumbres, entre otros, los relacionados con las preparaciones culinarias y los hábitos alimentarios. Poco más tarde, el creciente interés por los baños termales atrajo también hacia el País Vasco viajeros procedentes de Francia, Alemania, Italia o Gran Bretaña, acompañados en ocasiones por sus cocineros y sirvientes que acercaron prácticas culinarias de sus lugares de origen a las cocinas y restaurantes vascos. A partir de 1977, e inspirada en la denominada nouvelle cuisine, emerge la nueva cocina vasca de la mano de grandes cocineros como Juan Marí Arzak y Pedro Subijana, que pronto aglutinarán a un nutrido grupo de profesionales que han llevado a la actual cocina vasca a la excelencia reconocida internacionalmente. Las nuevas tendencias y restaurantes con estrellas o soles conviven con el culto a las tradiciones y a formas específicas de convivialidad en torno al alimento: txokos y sociedades gastronómicas; pintxos y pintxopote; sidrerías y tabernas de nuestra tierra verde.

The personal and professional face of the Basque urologist José Julián Guimón Rezola (1898-1980). / Semblante humano y profesional del urólogo vasco José Julián Guimón y Rezola (1898­1980).

OBJECTIVE: To understand certain outstanding aspects of the life of the Basque surgeon and urologist Julián Guimón Rezola. His personal and bibliographic documentary legacy helps reconstruct his works and personal character. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed the written works of Julián Guimón Rezola and a collection of documents, letters, photographs, illustrations and objects from his personal and professional life, accessed through his family. We analysed the content of the author's main publications and related the documents to historic facts. RESULTS: Julián Guimón Rezola was an upstanding individual, a father, a family man and a nationalist before the struggle, who was dedicated to his work and particularly to teaching and health management. He started his urological career under the direction of Francisco Pérez Andrés in the Santo Civil Hospital of Bilbao. He endured unjust repression for participating in the creation of the Basque University in 1936. Sentenced to life imprisonment, he stated a new life as a reclusive surgeon in the prison of Puerto de Santa María. He was pardoned three years later but was deprived of all his offices and disqualified from civil service. He founded his clinic and maintained his training in the United States. He presided over the Medical-Surgical Insurance Group of Bilbao (Igualatorio Médico-Quirúrgico) and, on 2 occasions, the Bilbao Academy of Medical Sciences. He was considerably active professionally and focused on social medicine and modern urology. He wrote 104 scientific articles, a number of which were of considerable quality and impact. We observed an evolution in the subject matter of these articles, all with exquisite professionalism and humanity. He corresponded with renowned practitioners and was admitted to the Spanish Royal National Academy of Medicine in 1970. He ended his career with an appointment as honorary professor at the University of the Basque Country 2 years before his death. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeon urologist Julián Guimón Rezola was a fundamental figure in Basque and Spanish medicine in the 20th century. He was the victim of a severe reprisal, not so much for political issues but rather for his institutional loyalty. However, he regained his professional and academic prestige. His written works reveal modern medicine with a considerable social foundation and the mind of a brilliant health manager.

[Research within the reach of Osakidetza professionals: Primary Health Care Research Program]. / La investigación al alcance de los profesionales de Osakidetza: Programa de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Salud.

OBJECTIVE: To provide information about the process and results of the Primary Health Care Research Program 2010-2011 organised by the Primary Care Research Unit of Bizkaia. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Osakidetza primary care. PARTICIPANTS: The 107 health professionals who applied for the program from a total of 4,338 general practitioners, nurses and administrative staff who were informed about it. MAIN MEASURES: Application level, research topics classification, program evaluation by participants, projects funding and program costs. RESULTS: Percentage who applied, 2.47%; 95% CI 2.41-2.88%. Of the 28 who were selected and 19 completed. The research topics were mostly related to the more common chronic diseases (32%), and prevention and health promotion (18%). Over 90% of participants assessed the quality of the program as good or excellent, and half of them considered it as difficult or very difficult. Of the18 new projects generated, 12 received funding, with 16 grants, 10 from the Health Department of the Basque Government, 4 from the Carlos III Institute of Health of the Ministry of Health of Spain, and 2 from Kronikgune. A total of €500,000 was obtained for these projects. This program cost €198,327. CONCLUSIONS: This experience can be used by others interested in the promotion of research in primary care, as the program achieved its objectives, and was useful and productive.

Servicios ambientales del bosque: ensayo en una cuenca atlántica europea con base en la experiencia de Centroamérica

Environmental services of the forest: an essay in an European Atlantic river basin based on a Central American experience. A Conservation Interest Index (CI) was designed to numerically assess the natural quality or value of a given terrestrial area. This CI has been applied along the Golako River Watershed (Biosphere Reserve, Basque Country, Spain). The area, although benefiting from some protection, is strongly influenced by human activities (forestry and cattle breeding). The CI is based on both available cartographic information about vegetation and fieldwork, the later needed to provide estimations for the various descriptors included in this index: in this way, a particular vegetation fragment received a final score on a scale from 0 to 1 000. A set of 9 Vegetation Units has been defined to analyze the current vegetation profile and, a ten plot (500 x 500 m) uniformly distributed sampling design has been implemented. Landscape homogenization is high where main land use relies on timbering, contrasting with the more heterogeneous and fragmented profile related to rural activities. At a height of more than 150 m forest appears to be dominant while human occupation becomes patchy, whereas abruptness restraints farms to locations below 100 m. Concerning the index performance, gradual differences have been displayed by the forest, which appears as the only vegetation unit attaining values above 500 (50% in the index scale), mature forest ranking highest (860), followed closely by the riparian forest. We have developed a formula to translate environmental value into economic benefit to promote conservation work at private property level, imitating the initial work undergone in Central American countries, where environmental services are rewarded irrespective of their conservation status. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (4): 2087-2098. Epub 2008 December 12.

Se presenta la síntesis de un estudio piloto llevado a cabo en la Reserva de la biosfera de Urdaibai (España atlántica), en la cuenca del río Golako, donde se estudió 250 hectáreas durante 8 meses. El objetivo fue definir un índice cuantitativo de conservación del territorio (IC), basado en la evaluación individual de 9 unidades de paisaje (UP) que sintetizan las características de la zona. Luego, se formuló un método de compensación económica (PSA = euros), que permite la conservación de las áreas naturales de calidad que son propiedad privada. Dicho planteamiento se basa en la premisa de que el bosque natural, como todos los ecosistemas naturales, posee un valor social que puede ser cuantificado. Los resultados del estudio indican que el 60% del territorio está representado por plantaciones de Pinus radiata, y que la superficie ocupada por el bosque natural en estados variables de conservación, está extraordinariamente fragmentada (82% por debajo de 1 ha). En este contexto, se desarrolla un concepto de Pago por Servicios Ambientales (PSA) propio, diseñado tomando en cuenta: las características específicas del territorio; los estudios de Costa Rica; los planes estratégicos y jurídicos vascos; el estudio del impacto de la actividad forestal; y las funciones del bosque natural como estabilizador de sistema.