Regional collaborative data harmonization: Building the next generation of global observations

Stephanie D. Jurburg; Clara Arboleda-Baena; An Xie; Rongxiao Che; Tida Ge; Yuyi Yang; Yanjiang Cai; Yongyu Zhang; Gang Li; Xin Sun

doi:10.1007/s42832-025-0354-7

Soil Ecology Letters ›› 2025, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (4) : 250354 DOI: 10.1007/s42832-025-0354-7

ESSAY

Regional collaborative data harmonization: Building the next generation of global observations

Stephanie D. Jurburg ¹^,²
, Clara Arboleda-Baena ²
, An Xie ³^,⁴^,⁵
, Rongxiao Che ⁶^,⁷
, Tida Ge ⁸
, Yuyi Yang ⁹
, Yanjiang Cai ¹⁰
, Yongyu Zhang ¹¹
, Gang Li ³^,⁴^,⁵
, Xin Sun ³^,⁴^,⁵

Author information +

¹. Department of Applied Microbial Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, 04318, Germany

². German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany

³. State Key Laboratory of Regional and Urban Ecology, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Fujian Key Laboratory of Watershed Ecology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China

⁴. Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China

⁵. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

⁶. Yunnan Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion Prevention and Green Development, Institute of International Rivers and Ecosecurity, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China

⁷. State Key Laboratory for Vegetation Structure, Function and Construction (VegLab), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecosecurity of Southwest China, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China

⁸. State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for the Regulation of Soil Biological Functions and One Health of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, PR China

⁹. Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China

¹⁰. National Key Laboratory for Development and Utilization of Forest Food Resources, College of Environment and Resource Sciences, College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China

¹¹. Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China

stephanie.jurburg@ufz.de (S.D. Jurburg)

axie@iue.ac.cn (A. Xie)

gli@iue.ac.cn (G. Li)

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Abstract

The Datathon series is a global initiative designed to foster microbial data reuse through community-driven metadata harmonization. By convening researchers from specific geographic regions, each annual Datathon promotes standardized metadata practices, supports sequence data archiving, and enables collaborative reuse of microbial metabarcoding datasets. Following successful events in Latin America (2022–2023) and Africa (2024), upcoming Datathons are scheduled for China (June 1–5, 2026) and the Polar regions (November 2026). Each three-day event combines inspiration, training, and collaboration, and is followed by a year of virtual courses, a data helpdesk, and the creation of consolidated datasets co-authored by data contributors. These efforts address critical gaps in metadata quality and accessibility, especially from underrepresented regions, enhancing the utility of publicly archived microbiome data. By empowering local researchers and promoting interoperability, the Datathons aim to build lasting, regionally grounded networks that contribute to a more inclusive, global understanding of microbial biodiversity. We invite participation and collaboration in these upcoming events.

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Stephanie D. Jurburg, Clara Arboleda-Baena, An Xie, Rongxiao Che, Tida Ge, Yuyi Yang, Yanjiang Cai, Yongyu Zhang, Gang Li, Xin Sun. Regional collaborative data harmonization: Building the next generation of global observations. Soil Ecology Letters, 2025, 7(4): 250354 DOI:10.1007/s42832-025-0354-7

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