Tropical field course for Ecology: Dan's story
Students have the chance to attend a two-week tropical ecology field course, run jointly between the Departments of Plant Sciences and Zoology. Read Dan's story to find out about his experience on the Borneo field course.
If you would like to support a student to attend the course, you can donate online now. Alternatively, please contact Holly Singlehurst (hjs70@cam.ac.uk) who will be pleased to talk to you confidentially about how you might contribute.
Name: Dan Marquand
Graduating year: 2025
Degree: Natural Sciences
College: Fitzwilliam
Tell us about yourself: what motivates you about plant sciences and what are your future aspirations?
Plants are my passion. They form the foundation of almost all terrestrial ecosystems by providing services that allow life on Earth to flourish.
For the final year of my Natural Sciences degree, I am taking Plant Sciences modules focused on conservation and ecology, which reflects my interest in the intersection between the natural world and human activity. I see the ability of humans to shape nature as a globally important ecological trend. In the future, I would like to pursue a career in research that contributes to understanding how human efforts can be focused on conserving the world’s ecosystems.
Why did you want to go on the field course?
As soon as I heard about the tropical field course to Borneo, I knew I had to apply.
I had heard so much in lectures, books and documentaries about the wealth of biodiversity found in tropical forests. To witness this mind-blowing scale of life in person was an incredible opportunity – not to mention, the adventure of travelling to a place so far away from home and experiencing new cultures and climates.
I valued the opportunity to learn from expert demonstrators from Cambridge as well as local research assistants with years of field knowledge and a deep understanding of the area. Without the field course, none of this would have been possible to experience.
How did it contribute to your understanding of plant sciences and ecology?
Since the field course is a joint trip with the Department of Zoology, it was fantastic to learn more about the animals of the rainforest as well as the plants. This made the trip a complete learning experience for all aspects of tropical ecosystems.
Conducting fieldwork and learning about tropical forests in person allowed me to take in the diversity of tropical life in a way that cannot compare to learning from books and lectures. Physically experiencing a rainforest in person is a very special experience.
What five amazing things did you learn?
- Our research assistant Dedey taught us how to identify water lianas. Cutting into these vines reveals a steady stream of clean drinking water. This is thanks to the fact that lianas don’t support their own weight. They climb up trees which means they can invest less in structural support and have wider vessels for water transport.
- The tallest tropical tree in the world called Menara (Shorea faguetiana) is found in Danum Valley Conservation area. It is an amazing 100.8m tall. On the field course, we met Unding, the man who climbed to the top of the tree to confirm its height.
- Borneo is a hotspot for aerial experimentation. In addition to all the species that can fly, there are several gliding animals from a diverse range of taxa. These include gliding squirrels, frogs, lizards, and even snakes. Studying gliders may provide insights into the early evolution of flight.
- Plants have also made aerial adaptations in Borneo. Trees of the dipterocarp family are widespread across the island’s forests. The name dipterocarp means two-winged fruits. These trees produce large, helicopter-like fruits that spiral down to the ground dispersing seeds.
- Strangler figs are common in Borneo. They grow by wrapping themselves around another tree, strangling their host until it dies. Once the tree rots away a hollow lattice of branches is left behind and the fig continues to grow.
How will the course help you with your academic goals and career aspirations?
Academically, the tropical field course allowed me to complete fieldwork that will form the basis of my Part II project this year. In a small team, I looked at the impact of road proximity on the regeneration of selectively logged forests. Back in Cambridge working on this project, I am motivated by a sense of connection. I was physically there in the rainforest collecting the data that I am analysing. This makes working on the project engaging and I can’t wait to start writing up my findings.
The experiences I gained on the tropical field trip are invaluable in my pursuit of a career in conservation. All the conservation NGOs, and research groups I have approached at career fairs have highlighted how strongly they value practical experience. The tropical field course has not just inspired me to continue to work on conservation, but it will set me apart from other graduates applying for positions.
Whatever field I pursue, the field course is a great experience. I learnt how to work and thrive in an unfamiliar environment by collaborating with individuals from a variety of institutions from around the world. Along with all the amazing science knowledge I gained on the trip, I will take this fundamental experience of global collaboration into my future career.
What would you say to someone considering giving to the fund to support future students?
The field course is an amazing opportunity to see the natural world in all its glory and a fantastic learning opportunity. Not only did I learn about tropical ecology, but I also discovered how passionate I am about the natural world, strengthening my resolve to go into conservation. In this sense, the fund is an investment in the future of young people and the planet.
Image: Dan Marquand holding a harvestman during a tour of a logged forest near Danum Valley. Harvestmen, though often mistaken for spiders, belong to the order Opiliones, a close relative of spiders in the order Araneae. Photo by Aulia Maulidya, from IPB University in Indonesia.