Kyle Cavanaugh

Kyle Cavanaugh is an Assistant Professor at UCLA's College of Letters and Science specializing in coastal ecosystem dynamics. His research employs remote sensing and spatial analysis to study kelp forests, mangroves, and coastal vegetation responses to environmental change.

Research interests include the impacts of marine heatwaves on kelp canopies, mangrove range expansion under climate change, and wildfire effects on coastal water quality. Recent work focuses on developing advanced monitoring technologies including hyperspectral imaging and digital twins for ecological projections.

Publications demonstrate consistent focus on coastal resilience, with emerging themes in climate adaptation strategies and conservation technology. Recent articles examine thermal stress responses in marine forests, satellite-based biomass quantification, and restoration project evaluation following extreme weather events.

Research employs diverse methodologies from field surveys to machine learning applications for habitat classification using PlanetScope imagery and CubeSat data.