Climate and Landscape Change in Borneo's Rainforest 2013

Project Conditions
The Field Environment
General Conditions
The information that follows is as accurate as possible, but
please keep in mind that conditions may change.
The terrain at Danum Valley and Ulu Segama–Malua is
mostly relatively gentle, though the local topography can
be steep. The ground can also be extremely muddy and
slippery when wet after the regular rainfall.
The temperature and relative humidity of southeastern
Sabah are typical of the equatorial rainforest. Mean
monthly rainfall ranges from approximately 15.5
centimeters (6.1 inches) in April to over 30 centimeters
(11.8 inches) in January, and tends to be highest in the
transition months following the equinoxes (May to June
and October to November) and also during the northerly
monsoon months of December to January.
The weather is expected to vary within the limits below:
Humidity 70% (day) to 95% (night)
Temperature range 68°F (20°C) to 95°F (35°C)
Altitude 656 feet (200 meters) to 1,312 feet (400 meters)
Eligibility Requirements
All participants must be able, independently or with the
assistance of a companion, to:
Follow verbal and/or visual instructions.
Enjoy being outdoors all day in varying weather
conditions, in the potential presence of wild animals
and insects.
Tolerate working and traversing terrain in hot and
humid conditions with temperatures ranging between
20° and 35°C (68° and 95ºF) and humidity levels
between 70% and 95%.
Swim for a minimum distance of 20 meters (65 feet).
While this is not required for the research, it is a
safety precaution for participation in the event of flash
floods which can potentially occur or rivers or streams
swelling unexpectedly.
Comfortably hike to forest research sites for distances
of approximately two kilometers (1.2 miles) a day on
terrain that is mostly flat, but slippery and with some
steep areas, in hot and humid conditions.
Traverse and hike across slippery and sometimes
steep areas of forest for periods of three to six hours a
day while undertaking research tasks.
Get low enough to the ground to measure trees and
saplings and collect data, for periods of one to three
hours a day.
Carry up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of personal
equipment (water, snacks, waterproofs, first aid kits,
personal camera, etc.) to the research sites.
Get up into and down out of a vehicle and ride, seated
with seatbelt fastened, for about one to two hours on
some days over uneven roads and terrain, depending
on that day’s activity.
Climate and Landscape Change in Borneo’s Rainforest 2013
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