Betsy von Holle

Betsy von Holle is an Associate Research Professor at The George Washington University, specializing in ecological responses to climate change and global environmental factors. Her work integrates field experiments, controlled growth chamber studies, and modeling to address critical issues in species adaptation, coastal vulnerability, and restoration ecology.

Research Themes:

• Investigated species phenology under climate change, revealing delayed flowering in Florida plants due to colder winters.
• Explored interactions between soil microbes and plant species to understand range expansion dynamics of native and nonnative flora.
• Assessed sea level rise impacts on coastal nesting species across the South Atlantic Bight, identifying habitat-specific vulnerabilities for turtles, birds, and rodents.
• Developed ecological restoration strategies for rare species like Corema conradii and Pycnanthemum virginianum in Florida and New England.
• Participated in globally distributed ecological experiments via the DRAGNet network to study disturbance recovery in herbaceous ecosystems.

Advising and Grants: Von Holle has mentored graduate and undergraduate researchers, including Annie Weiler (Merritt Island restoration), Ted Hoxie (Virginia mountain mint restoration), and Chander Sam (DRAGNet site setup). Her work has been funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and partnerships with conservation organizations.

Labs and Collaborations: She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams of ecologists, climate modelers, and engineers, working across diverse ecosystems from Florida to New England. Her DRAGNet collaboration involves a global network of researchers conducting parallel experiments on disturbance recovery.