Environmental DNA (eDNA) has become an increasingly valuable tool for aquatic biodiversity monitoring. ANEMONE Global is an evolving international network that applies this method in a coordinated, inclusive, and technically robust manner. It connects researchers, marine stations, and local partners across 12 countries, from New Zealand to Senegal, with more joining as the network grows.
The initiative began in 2019 with the All-Nippon Environmental DNA Monitoring Network (ANEMONE) in Japan, led by Professor Michio Kondoh at Tohoku University. Building on this foundation, ANEMONE Global aims to create a platform for standardized eDNA surveys across diverse ecosystems and regions. The goal is to generate open-access biodiversity data that supports long-term monitoring and time-series analyses.
A central element of the initiative is the ANEMONE Database (DB), a public repository for storing, accessing, and sharing eDNA-derived biodiversity data. By making these data freely available, the platform promotes transparency, reusability, and collaboration across research and policy communities.
ANEMONE Global places strong emphasis on technical exchange and capacity building. The network includes participants at different stages of eDNA implementation. Some are newly integrating molecular tools, while others are advancing standardized approaches for large-scale synthesis. By harmonizing protocols and promoting open data practices, ANEMONE supports long-term, locally relevant biodiversity observations that can inform ecosystem management globally.
Marine stations, with their established ties to both ecosystems and surrounding communities, are particularly well positioned to contribute to and benefit from this approach. Looking ahead, ANEMONE Global aims to support the development of locally led eDNA monitoring hubs. These would facilitate collaboration among marine stations, research institutes, and community partners to sustain biodiversity monitoring over time.
In 2025, ANEMONE Global was endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. This recognition underscores the network’s commitment to inclusive science, standardized monitoring, and international collaboration to better understand and protect aquatic biodiversity.
We welcome collaboration with marine stations, researchers, and community-oriented institutions interested in advancing aquatic biomonitoring. Strengthening global capacity through coordinated research, data sharing, and long-term cooperation remains at the heart of ANEMONE Global’s mission.
For more information:
To learn more or get involved, contact us at:
michio.kondo.b8@tohoku.ac.jp
sioud.imane.p5@dc.tohoku.ac.jp
