Overview

As a plant ecologist, I focus on using plants to restore ecosystem functions to cities and other human impacted landscapes. I take an interdisciplionary appraoch, using physiological ecology, atmosphgeric science, soil science and hydrology.

Research Focus

Specific research foci include the interaction between particulate air pollution, plant canopies and the impact these have on human health, specifically, the immune response.

Outreach and Extension Focus

My primary extension focus addresses the use of plants to abate urban air pollution. Secondary foci address the culture of beach plum (a low-input fruit crop suitable for restoration sites) and restoration ecology at the rural-urban interface.

Instruction Focus

I teach HORT 440 (Restoration Ecology). This interdisciplinary course applies basic science to restoring function and service value to impaired ecosystems. A highlight of the course is a semester-long project, often in the form of a pro bono study of a local natural area in need of restoration. In Fall 2006, we adapted the soil health protocol developed at Cornell to suit a range of degraded sites. In my sophomore writing seminar, we had a weekly lab section during which we studied old growth hemlock on local cliff faces. In both instances, students learned new skills and communicated their findings to off-campus audiences.

Additional Links

• Beach Plum website
• Urban Horticulture Institute
• Link to CALS Research portal
• Link to CALS Impact statements

Selected Publications

• Uva, R. H. and T. H. Whitlow. 2005. Beach Plum: a shrub for low-maintenance landscapes. Arnoldia 63:19-20.
• Dosmann, MD and TH Whitlow. 2006. Unlocking the genetic potential of goldenrain tree. Landscape Plant News 17:1-9.
• Uva, R. H. and T. H. Whitlow. 2007. Cultural methods for beach plum (Prunus maritima) production. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 61:3-13.
• Dosmann, M. S. and T. H. Whitlow. 2005. The (un)natural and cultural history of Korean goldenrain tree. Arnoldia 64:16-30.

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