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Dr. Michael (Mike) Duniway is a soil scientist focused on soils and soil processes in dryland environments. His work provides crucial information for stakeholders, agencies and the public to assess and manage lands across the Colorado Plateau and southwest US.
In his research and outreach activities, Dr. Duniway seeks to provide information for land managers and owners to facilitate sustainable land-use activities. He works closely with federal and state agency partners and others in designing research studies, conducting technology transfer, and outreach activities. His research focuses include understanding the impacts of drought on Colorado Plateau rangelands, evaluating the recovery of oil and gas pads and seeking opportunities for improved reclamation practices, and developing new maps and tools for land management. In his work, he is interested in maintaining and balancing the important ecosystem services these landscapes provide, including clean water and air, food and fiber, tourism and cultural values, and energy.
An example of successful perennial grass establishment on a reclaimed oil and gas well pad site in the Book Cliffs, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
An example of successful perennial grass establishment on a reclaimed oil and gas well pad site in the Book Cliffs, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
An ecological site group map for the Upper Colorado River Basin that displays a quantitative soil-geomorphic framework in the Four Corners region, USA.
An ecological site group map for the Upper Colorado River Basin that displays a quantitative soil-geomorphic framework in the Four Corners region, USA.
Cathedral Valley, Capital Reef National Park, Utah. Photo by Chris Benson, USGS.
Cathedral Valley, Capital Reef National Park, Utah. Photo by Chris Benson, USGS.
A panorama of Cathedral Valley, Capital Reef National Park, Utah. Photo by Chris Benson, USGS, 2021.
A panorama of Cathedral Valley, Capital Reef National Park, Utah. Photo by Chris Benson, USGS, 2021.
A pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) using habitat with oil and gas development near Vernal, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
A pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) using habitat with oil and gas development near Vernal, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
A panoramic photo of the Colorado River Basin in Canyonlands National Park. Photo by Mike Duniway, Southwest Biological Science Center, USGS.
A panoramic photo of the Colorado River Basin in Canyonlands National Park. Photo by Mike Duniway, Southwest Biological Science Center, USGS.
Hydroseeding for reclamation at an oil and gas well pad in the Uinta Basin, Utah. Hydroseeding involves spraying seeds, water, mulch and sometimes other materials over a disturbed area. Photo by Rebecca Mann, SBSC, USGS.
Hydroseeding for reclamation at an oil and gas well pad in the Uinta Basin, Utah. Hydroseeding involves spraying seeds, water, mulch and sometimes other materials over a disturbed area. Photo by Rebecca Mann, SBSC, USGS.
A dynamic illustration of how pixel matching can be used for finding control points on a map of Shay Mesa, Utah, showing an area of pinyon-juniper clearing treatments. For more information, see the paper: What determines the effectiveness of Pinyon-Juniper clearing treatments?
A dynamic illustration of how pixel matching can be used for finding control points on a map of Shay Mesa, Utah, showing an area of pinyon-juniper clearing treatments. For more information, see the paper: What determines the effectiveness of Pinyon-Juniper clearing treatments?
A USGS technician places a pin drop on a transect during monitoring soil and vegetation outcomes on a reclaimed oil or gas pad near Grand Junction, Colorado. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
A USGS technician places a pin drop on a transect during monitoring soil and vegetation outcomes on a reclaimed oil or gas pad near Grand Junction, Colorado. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.
A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.
30m resolution soil map for the Colorado River Basin, Four Corners region showing uncertainty in electrical connectivity.
30m resolution soil map for the Colorado River Basin, Four Corners region showing uncertainty in electrical connectivity.
The USGS Southwest Biological Science Center discusses rangeland conditions and our research on drought with managers and partners on the Colorado Plateau. Photo courtesy of Mike Duniway, USGS.
The USGS Southwest Biological Science Center discusses rangeland conditions and our research on drought with managers and partners on the Colorado Plateau. Photo courtesy of Mike Duniway, USGS.
In drylands, short-term extreme droughts can have profound ecosystem effects. In this study, we are examining the impacts of extreme seasonal drought on grassland communities of the Colorado Plateau & recovery from drought.
In drylands, short-term extreme droughts can have profound ecosystem effects. In this study, we are examining the impacts of extreme seasonal drought on grassland communities of the Colorado Plateau & recovery from drought.
A panoramic photo of Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, Southwest Biological Science Center, USGS.
A panoramic photo of Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, Southwest Biological Science Center, USGS.
Active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
Active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
USGS and US Forest Service staff installing dust monitoring equipment at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park.
USGS and US Forest Service staff installing dust monitoring equipment at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park.
Dry conditions at cattle water sources in western Colorado.
Dry conditions at cattle water sources in western Colorado.
Cattle walking across biological soil crusts in southeastern Utah.
Cattle walking across biological soil crusts in southeastern Utah.
Drilling for mineral resources near Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Drilling for mineral resources near Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Four-wheel drive enthusiasts during Jeep Safari in Moab Utah.
Four-wheel drive enthusiasts during Jeep Safari in Moab Utah.
An example of successful perennial grass establishment on a reclaimed oil and gas well pad site in the Book Cliffs, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
An example of successful perennial grass establishment on a reclaimed oil and gas well pad site in the Book Cliffs, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
An ecological site group map for the Upper Colorado River Basin that displays a quantitative soil-geomorphic framework in the Four Corners region, USA.
An ecological site group map for the Upper Colorado River Basin that displays a quantitative soil-geomorphic framework in the Four Corners region, USA.
Cathedral Valley, Capital Reef National Park, Utah. Photo by Chris Benson, USGS.
Cathedral Valley, Capital Reef National Park, Utah. Photo by Chris Benson, USGS.
A panorama of Cathedral Valley, Capital Reef National Park, Utah. Photo by Chris Benson, USGS, 2021.
A panorama of Cathedral Valley, Capital Reef National Park, Utah. Photo by Chris Benson, USGS, 2021.
A pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) using habitat with oil and gas development near Vernal, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
A pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) using habitat with oil and gas development near Vernal, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
A panoramic photo of the Colorado River Basin in Canyonlands National Park. Photo by Mike Duniway, Southwest Biological Science Center, USGS.
A panoramic photo of the Colorado River Basin in Canyonlands National Park. Photo by Mike Duniway, Southwest Biological Science Center, USGS.
Hydroseeding for reclamation at an oil and gas well pad in the Uinta Basin, Utah. Hydroseeding involves spraying seeds, water, mulch and sometimes other materials over a disturbed area. Photo by Rebecca Mann, SBSC, USGS.
Hydroseeding for reclamation at an oil and gas well pad in the Uinta Basin, Utah. Hydroseeding involves spraying seeds, water, mulch and sometimes other materials over a disturbed area. Photo by Rebecca Mann, SBSC, USGS.
A dynamic illustration of how pixel matching can be used for finding control points on a map of Shay Mesa, Utah, showing an area of pinyon-juniper clearing treatments. For more information, see the paper: What determines the effectiveness of Pinyon-Juniper clearing treatments?
A dynamic illustration of how pixel matching can be used for finding control points on a map of Shay Mesa, Utah, showing an area of pinyon-juniper clearing treatments. For more information, see the paper: What determines the effectiveness of Pinyon-Juniper clearing treatments?
A USGS technician places a pin drop on a transect during monitoring soil and vegetation outcomes on a reclaimed oil or gas pad near Grand Junction, Colorado. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
A USGS technician places a pin drop on a transect during monitoring soil and vegetation outcomes on a reclaimed oil or gas pad near Grand Junction, Colorado. Photo by Mike Duniway, SBSC, USGS.
A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.
A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.
30m resolution soil map for the Colorado River Basin, Four Corners region showing uncertainty in electrical connectivity.
30m resolution soil map for the Colorado River Basin, Four Corners region showing uncertainty in electrical connectivity.
The USGS Southwest Biological Science Center discusses rangeland conditions and our research on drought with managers and partners on the Colorado Plateau. Photo courtesy of Mike Duniway, USGS.
The USGS Southwest Biological Science Center discusses rangeland conditions and our research on drought with managers and partners on the Colorado Plateau. Photo courtesy of Mike Duniway, USGS.
In drylands, short-term extreme droughts can have profound ecosystem effects. In this study, we are examining the impacts of extreme seasonal drought on grassland communities of the Colorado Plateau & recovery from drought.
In drylands, short-term extreme droughts can have profound ecosystem effects. In this study, we are examining the impacts of extreme seasonal drought on grassland communities of the Colorado Plateau & recovery from drought.
A panoramic photo of Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, Southwest Biological Science Center, USGS.
A panoramic photo of Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Photo by Mike Duniway, Southwest Biological Science Center, USGS.
Active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
Active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
USGS and US Forest Service staff installing dust monitoring equipment at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park.
USGS and US Forest Service staff installing dust monitoring equipment at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park.
Dry conditions at cattle water sources in western Colorado.
Dry conditions at cattle water sources in western Colorado.
Cattle walking across biological soil crusts in southeastern Utah.
Cattle walking across biological soil crusts in southeastern Utah.
Drilling for mineral resources near Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Drilling for mineral resources near Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Four-wheel drive enthusiasts during Jeep Safari in Moab Utah.
Four-wheel drive enthusiasts during Jeep Safari in Moab Utah.
