This publication is part of the Sentinel Landscape network initiative established in eight sites around the world representative of widely different biophysical and socioeconomic contexts. Here we present and summarize the results of the research and baseline studies carried out in West Kalimantan, Borneo. Within the Kapuas Hulu regency, two districts were selected as ‘sentinel sites’: (1) a traditionally managed landscape with direct influence on watersheds to the north of Danau Sentarum National Park wetlands (Batang Lupar); and (2) a contrasting area in the south with improved infrastructure along the mainsouthern road from Sintang to Putussibau, to bring a different context (Mentebah).