Asia Dowtin

Contact Me

Assistant Professor, Urban Forestry
Department of Forestry

Degrees:
PhD in Geography, University of Delaware, 2018
MS in Geography (Climatology), University of Delaware, 2012
BS in Meteorology (minor in Mathematics), State University of New York College at Oneonta, 2009

Asia Dowtin's research uses in situ sampling and laboratory-based techniques to quantify hydrologic and nutrient cycling in the urban forest. Her work explores the relationships that exist between urban canopy structure, spatial context, and plant-water interactions to broaden our understanding of the influence of species composition and surrounding land use on urban forest function.

A major goal of Dowtin's work is to utilize this knowledge to inform the development of urban forest management plans, specifically those intended to optimize yield of select regulating and supporting ecosystem services by municipal trees. Her broader research interests include regional water resource management and hazard mitigation.

Current Projects

The Urban Forestry Stakeholder Survey is part of a current research project designed to investigate how urban forestry practitioners perceive their access to urban forestry research and related information.

Take the Urban Forestry Stakeholder Survey

Current Assignment

20% Teaching | 30% Extension | 50% Research

Research Interests

Hydrologic and nutrient cycling in urban forests
Ecosystem services of the urban forest
Urban forest planning and management

Publications

Dowtin, A.L., Cregg, B.C., Nowak, D.J., Levia, D.F. 2023 Towards optimized runoff reduction by urban canopy cover: a review of key physical tree traits, site conditions, and management strategies. Landscape and Urban Planning, 239: 104849. DOI:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104849.

Rivera-Cubero, L.D., Dowtin, A.L.; Rothstein, D.E., 2023. Nitrate and ammonium deposition in the Midwestern fragmented forest. Forests 2023, 14, 512. DOI:10.3390/f1403051.

Hendricks, M.D. and Dowtin, A.L.* (Both authors equal contributors), 2023. Come hybrid or high water: making the case for a green-grey approach toward resilient urban stormwater management. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. DOI: 10.1111/1752-1688.13112.

Huizenga, E. Huff, E., Dowtin, A., Latimore, J. 2022.Untapped potential: Measuring stakeholder value of the forest ecosystem service of providing drinking water. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. DOI:10.1111/1752-1688.13002.

Dowtin, A.L., Siegert, C.M., Levia, D.F., 2021. Comparisons of flux-based stemflow enrichment ratios for two Quercus spp. within the megalopolis of the eastern USA. Urban Ecosystems, 24 (4), 675-690. DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01064-5.

Dowtin, A.L. and D.F. Levia, 2018. The power of persistence. Science, 360(6393): 1142. DOI: 10.1126/science.360.6393.1142.

Schooling, J.T., Levia, D.F., Carlyle-Moses, D.E., Dowtin, A.L., Brewer, S.E.; Donkor. K.K., Borden, S.A., Grzybowski, A.A. 2017. Tree size and flux-based stemflow enrichment ratios: a preliminary investigation of eleven urban park trees in British Columbia, Canada. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 29: 129-133. DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2016.11.013.

Siegert, C.M., Levia, D.F., Hudson, S.A., Dowtin, A.L., Zhang, F. and Mitchell, M.J. 2016. Small-scale topographic variability influences tree species distribution and canopy throughfall partitioning in a temperate deciduous forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 359: 109-117. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco. 2015.09.028.

Non-refereed Articles

Dowtin, A.L. and M.D. Hendricks. 2020. Grey, green, and brown for blue: Historical perspectives and future directors towards a hybrid approach for resilient stormwater management. American Water Resources Association IMPACT Magazine. (Access Here)

Merchant, C., Cooper, L., Brown, D., Dowtin, A.L., Richardson, R. 2020. Carbon accounting estimates for the Michigan State University Sustainable Wood Recovery Initiative. (Technical Report)

Extension Bulletins and Related Products

Dowtin, A.L., Carpenter, C., Hunt, I., Shaffer, J. 2020. The trees of Berkley, Michigan, USA: A guide for community residents. (Developed for City of Berkley, Michigan Department of Public Works. Access Here)