(Posted 22nd April 2025)
This Earth Day, African Parks is spotlighting a groundbreaking project that is transforming how we understand and conserve ecosystems. Backed by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the MENA Project (Molecular Ecological Network Analysis) is transforming biodiversity monitoring across five parks in five African countries.
By combining environmental DNA with network science, MENA is uncovering the invisible relationships that sustain ecosystems – helping us move beyond species counts to a deeper, more holistic understanding of ecosystem health. It reveals how species interact, how ecosystems function, and where they are most vulnerable.
This is the first time such an approach has been applied at scale and across multiple biomes. While still in its early stages, the science behind MENA is already providing valuable data and insights. It’s a powerful example of environmental responsibility in action – science-driven, scalable, and grounded in long-term partnerships across Africa.
Discover how MENA is reshaping our insight into and conservation of the Earth’s biodiverse landscapes.
