Keywords

  • invasion biology
  • physiological plant ecology
  • plant physiological ecology
  • restoration ecology
  • urban ecology
  • urban horticulture

Whitlow, Thomas Henry

Associate Professor
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

research and scholarship 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.

research areas

affiliations

faculty appointment in

member of graduate field

teaching

teaching 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.

service

outreach 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.

publications

speaker at Cornell event

Keywords: invasion biology, physiological plant ecology, plant physiological ecology, restoration ecology, urban ecology, urban horticulture