Kew Gardens’ Alexandre Antonelli: ‘We may be losing species before we even notice them’

Ahead of the organisation’s report into the state of our flora and fungi, its director of science talks about his work as a biogeographer and how our diet can make a difference

Alexandre Antonelli is director of science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and a professor of systematics and biodiversity at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. He spoke to the Observer ahead of this week’s launch of the organisation’s seminal report The State of the World’s Plants and Fungi, which last took stock in 2020. He is also the author of The Hidden Universe: Adventures in Biodiversity (Ebury Press, £14.99).

What do you do at Kew – what are the best and the worst things about your job?
My responsibility is to develop the strategy for science and conservation work and coordinate efforts across all our sites: Kew Gardens, Wakehurst, the Millennium Seed Bank and Madagascar. The best part is ensuring that the quality and impact of sciences is as large as possible. We have talented staff who have immense knowledge about different parts of the world, and of plants and fungi. So for me, it’s been very inspirational and a huge learning opportunity as well.

The Hidden Universe by Alexandre Antonelli is published by Ebury Press (£14.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply