One path to sustainable development for forest-dependent populations is the commercialization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Fruit, baskets, honey and medicinal plants are just a few examples of everyday products that can be harvested from a sustainably managed natural resource base.

This report describes a new map-based approach to defining areas best suited for NTFP commercialization. Uganda is used as a case study. As one of the most rapidly growing economies in Africa, its rich natural heritage highlights the conflict between national development efforts and the need for a globally responsible approach to biodiversity conservation. The report addresses the following questions:

• How can NTFP commercialization contribute both to rural poverty eradication and forest conservation in Uganda?
• How do spatial factors affect these two goals?
• Where do specific NTFPs have the highest chances of being successfully developed and commercialized?
• How can this analysis be refined in the future to give a more complete picture?

This project demonstrates that powerful spatial analysis tools now facilitate the integration of social, economic and environmental data, in support of better decision-making. Such expert system' tools could be made accessible to any number of stakeholders, providing a truly participatory and inclusive model for the sound management of our common natural heritage.