Conservation of rain forest ecosystems would obviously be most effective by prohibiting any kind of use. However, taking into account the considerable dependence on forest resources by local communities, avoiding the (illegal) use under current conditions either would not be manageable, nor would it reflect local requirements. As a consequence, our goal is the identification of an optimum relation between conservation of biodiversity and its use. According to our approach, warranting a maximum maintenance of biological diversity and ecosystem function as well as promoting its compatible use with profit for local communities should be enabled by appropriate measures - which means obtaining sustainability. This interdisciplinary approach requires a set of strictly co-ordinated analyses at different hierachical levels. Significant interfaces of the ecological network of rain forests and their replacement communities are: richness, abundance, guild-structure, fluctuation trends and ecosystematic function of different groups of keystone organisms, plant-pollinator systems, seed dispersal and forest regeneration. A GIS-based information processes current remote sensing data and historical information on environmental changes for the study area. Socio-economic studies include an economic valuation of biological resources and empirical measurement of the benefits and costs of utilisation and management of forest resources for different stakeholder groups. Together with analyses of surrounding agricultural land-use systems, the studies will provide a comprehensive image of the complex network of land-use practices and its consequences for both the functionality of the ecosystem and cost-benefit relations for the local population. Outcome of the research will be compiled to management recommendations for a sustainable use of biodiversity.