Mike Duniway, Ph.D.
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.
Professional Experience
2011-Present: Research Ecologist, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Moab, UT
2010-2011: Research Soil Scientist, US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Jornada, Las Cruces, NM
2006-2010: Research Soil Scientist (post doc), US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Jornada, Las Cruces, NM
2012-Present: Adjunct Faculty, Utah State University, Logan, UT
2007-Present: Adjunct Faculty, NM State University, Las Cruces, NM
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., 2006 — Agronomy (Soil Science), New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
B.S., 1994 — Environmental Resource Science, University of California, Davis, CA
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 23
Filter Total Items: 40
A snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin A snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Stakeholder science needs were determined by reviewing more than 200 recently published literature items and web pages from Colorado River Basin (CRB) stakeholders. These stakeholder communications were used to characterize over 400 stakeholder science needs by reviewing their priorities, strategies, issues, missions, and concerns related to drought in the CRB. Members of the CRB...
By
Arizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology
Long-term annual aeolian dust deposition data from seven locations in southeastern Utah Long-term annual aeolian dust deposition data from seven locations in southeastern Utah
These data are annual aeolian dust deposition calculations from vertical deposition at seven locations near the vicinity of Moab, Utah covering the period from 1999 to 2020. Data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center (Denver, Colorado) and Southwest Biological Science Center (Moab, Utah) to "monitor sediment characteristics at...
Rangeland Ecosystem Data, Grand Canyon - Parashant National Monument, AZ, USA Rangeland Ecosystem Data, Grand Canyon - Parashant National Monument, AZ, USA
These data were compiled for an assessment of rangeland ecosystem conditions of the Grand Canyon - Parashant National Monument. The approximately one-million-acre Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (PARA) is located in the northwest corner of Arizona and co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS). This report is focused on the ca. 200,000...
Predictive soil property maps with prediction uncertainty at 30-meter resolution for the Colorado River Basin above Lake Mead Predictive soil property maps with prediction uncertainty at 30-meter resolution for the Colorado River Basin above Lake Mead
These data were compiled to demonstrate new predictive mapping approaches and provide comprehensive gridded 30 meter resolution soil property maps for the Colorado River Basin above Hoover Dam. Random forest models related environmental raster layers representing soil forming factors with field samples to render predictive maps that interpolate between sample locations. Maps represented...
High-resolution object-based image classifications of biological soil crusts and vegetation (Beef Basin, Utah) High-resolution object-based image classifications of biological soil crusts and vegetation (Beef Basin, Utah)
This dataset contains 10 classified raster images identifying the distribution and condition of biological soil crusts using high-resolution imagery from Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Also included are: a supplemental accuracy report and accuracy matrix for each classified image, and all associated accessory files. These images are located in Beef Basin, Southeastern Utah, and focuses...
Vegetation cover and composition data in environments surrounding uranium mines in the Grand Canyon ecosystem, USA Vegetation cover and composition data in environments surrounding uranium mines in the Grand Canyon ecosystem, USA
This data package contains the final combined field sampling data collected by the USGS July 2013 and July-August 2015 at three active uranium mines (Canyon Rim Mine, Pinenut Mine, and Arizona 1 Mine) as well as two reference sites (Little Robinson Tank and EZ2 Pipe) in northwestern Arizona. Vegetation and soils were assessed by using line-point intersect (LPI) methods and estimates of...
Filter Total Items: 127
Oil and gas reclamation—Operations, monitoring methods, and standards Oil and gas reclamation—Operations, monitoring methods, and standards
This publication provides broad guidance for surface management of oil and gas development with a focus on promoting successful reclamation. Successful reclamation depends on sound best management practices, clear standards and expectations, defensible monitoring for effectiveness, and management of production facilities to minimize surface disturbance. This publication provides specific
Authors
Randi Lupardus, Janna Simonsen, Gordon Toevs, Barbara Sterling, Zachary Bowen, Zoe Davidson, Steve Hanser, Emily Kachergis, Alexander Laurence-Traynor, Nika Lepak, Rebecca Mann, Aleta Nafus, David Pilliod, Michael Duniway
Grassland Effectiveness Monitoring (GEM): A tiered approach for habitat treatment assessment across private lands incentive programs Grassland Effectiveness Monitoring (GEM): A tiered approach for habitat treatment assessment across private lands incentive programs
Introduction The decline of North American grasslands is a topic of increasing interest as agencies and organizations work to address subsequent declines in wildlife species, including grassland birds (Rosenberg et al. 2019), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) (Gedir et al. 2015), and other grassland-dependent taxa. In response to grassland habitat loss, conservation programs and policies...
Authors
Anna Matthews, Rebekah Rylander, Daniel Bunting, Michael Duniway, James Giocomo, Anna Knight, Adriana Leiva, Robert Perez, Kourtney Stonehouse, Derek Wiley, Don Wilhelm
Finding a GEM: The Grassland Effectiveness Monitoring (GEM) protocol provides a tiered approach for habitat treatment assessment across private lands incentive programs Finding a GEM: The Grassland Effectiveness Monitoring (GEM) protocol provides a tiered approach for habitat treatment assessment across private lands incentive programs
The soil store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through different processes, depending on the use and management of the land. For the Maderas del Carmen and Ocampo natural protected areas, one of the main conservation goals is to preserve natural habitats, ensuring an ecological balance and making a sustainable. The main productive activity in the region is extensive livestock...
Authors
Rebekah Rylander, Anna Matthews, Daniel Bunting, Michael Duniway, James Giocomo, Anna Knight, Adriana Leiva, Robert Perez, Kourtney Stonehouse, Derek Wiley, Don Wilhelm
Time, climate, and soil settings set the course for reclamation outcomes following dryland energy development Time, climate, and soil settings set the course for reclamation outcomes following dryland energy development
Soil attributes, climate, and time since reclamation have important implications for oil and gas reclamation success on drylands. It is uncertain if reclaimed well pads, on highly degraded drylands, can successfully regain ecological function or meet indicator benchmarks for reclamation. Here, our goals were to assess patterns in reclamation outcomes relative to (1) soil attributes...
Authors
Randi Lupardus, Aarin Sengsirirak, Keven Griffen, Anna Knight, Brandon McNellis, John B. Bradford, Seth Munson, Sasha C. Reed, Miguel Villarreal, Michael Duniway
Biophysical factors control invasive annual grass hot spots in the Mojave Desert Biophysical factors control invasive annual grass hot spots in the Mojave Desert
Invasive annual grasses can promote ecosystem state changes and habitat loss in the American Southwest. Non-native annual grasses such as Bromus spp. and Schismus spp. have invaded the Mojave Desert and degraded habitat through increased fire occurrence, severity, and shifting plant community composition. Thus, it is important to identify and characterize the areas where persistent...
Authors
Tanner Smith, Tara B.B. Bishop, Michael Duniway, Miguel Villarreal, Anna Knight, Seth Munson, Eric Waller, Ryan Jensen, Richard A. Gill
Ecosystem resilience to invasion and drought: Insights after 24 years in a rare never-grazed grassland Ecosystem resilience to invasion and drought: Insights after 24 years in a rare never-grazed grassland
Understanding the resilience of ecosystems globally is hampered by the complex and interacting drivers of change characteristic of the Anthropocene. This is true for drylands of the western US, where widespread alteration of disturbance regimes and spread of invasive non-native species occurred with westward expansion during the 1800s, including the introduction of domestic livestock and...
Authors
Michael Duniway, Rebecca Finger-Higgens, Erika Geiger, David Hoover, Alix Pfennigwerth, Anna Knight, M. Van Scoyoc, Mark Miller, Jayne Belnap
Non-USGS Publications**
Browning, D.M., Duniway, M.C., Laliberte, A., and Rango, A., 2012, Hierarchical analysis of vegetation dynamics over 71 years: Soil-rainfall interactions in a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem: Ecological Applications, v. 22, p.909-926.
Duniway, M., Karl, J., Schrader, S., Baquera, N., and Herrick, J., 2012, Rangeland and pasture monitoring: an approach to interpretation of high-resolution imagery focused on observer calibration for repeatability: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, v. 184, p. 3789-3804.
Karl, J., Duniway, M.C., Nusser, S.M., Opsomer, J.D., and Unnasch, R.S., 2012, Using Very-Large-Scale Aerial Imagery for Rangeland Monitoring and Assessment: Some Statistical Considerations: Rangeland Ecology & Management, v. 65, p. 330-339.
Karl, J.W., Duniway, M.C., and Schrader, T.S., 2012, A Technique for Estimating Rangeland Canopy-Gap Size Distributions From High-Resolution Digital Imagery: Rangeland Ecology & Management, v. 65, p. 196-207.
Browning, D.M., and Duniway, M.C., 2011, Digital soil mapping in the absence of field training data: a case study using terrain attributes and semiautomated soil signature derivation to distinguish ecological potential: Applied and Environmental Soil Science.
Duniway, M.C., and Herrick, J.E., 2011, Disentangling road network impacts: the need for a holistic approach: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, v. 66, p. 31A-36A.
Peters, D.P.C., Lugo, A.E., Chapin, F.S., Pickett, S.T.A., Duniway, M.C., Rocha, A.V., Swanson, F.J., Laney, C., and Jones, J., 2011, Cross-system comparisons elucidate disturbance complexities and generalities: Ecosphere, v. 2, art. 81.
Schrader, T.S., and Duniway, M.C., 2011, Image Interpreter Tool: An ArcGIS tool for estimating vegetation cover from high-resolution imagery: Rangelands, v. 33, p. 35-40.
Duniway, M., Herrick, J., and Monger, H., 2010, Spatial and temporal variability of plant-available water in calcium carbonate-cemented soils and consequences for arid ecosystem resilience: Oecologia, v. 163, p. 215-226.
Duniway, M.C., Bestelmeyer, B.T., and Tugel, A., 2010, Soil processes and properties that distinguish ecological sites and states: Rangelands, v. 32, p. 9-15.
Duniway, M.C., Snyder, K.A., and Herrick, J.E., 2010, Spatial and temporal patterns of water availability in a grass–shrub ecotone and implications for grassland recovery in arid environments: Ecohydrology, v. 3, p. 55-67.
Duniway, M.C., Herrick, J.E., and Monger, H.C., 2007, The high water-holding capacity of petrocalcic horizons: Soil Science Society of America Journal, v. 71, p. 812-819.
Duniway, M.C., 2006, The functional role of petrocalcic horizons in desert ecosystems: spatial and temporal dynamics of plant water availability [Ph.D. Dissertation]: New Mexico State Univeristy, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 23
Filter Total Items: 40
A snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin A snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Stakeholder science needs were determined by reviewing more than 200 recently published literature items and web pages from Colorado River Basin (CRB) stakeholders. These stakeholder communications were used to characterize over 400 stakeholder science needs by reviewing their priorities, strategies, issues, missions, and concerns related to drought in the CRB. Members of the CRB...
By
Arizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology
Long-term annual aeolian dust deposition data from seven locations in southeastern Utah Long-term annual aeolian dust deposition data from seven locations in southeastern Utah
These data are annual aeolian dust deposition calculations from vertical deposition at seven locations near the vicinity of Moab, Utah covering the period from 1999 to 2020. Data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center (Denver, Colorado) and Southwest Biological Science Center (Moab, Utah) to "monitor sediment characteristics at...
Rangeland Ecosystem Data, Grand Canyon - Parashant National Monument, AZ, USA Rangeland Ecosystem Data, Grand Canyon - Parashant National Monument, AZ, USA
These data were compiled for an assessment of rangeland ecosystem conditions of the Grand Canyon - Parashant National Monument. The approximately one-million-acre Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (PARA) is located in the northwest corner of Arizona and co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS). This report is focused on the ca. 200,000...
Predictive soil property maps with prediction uncertainty at 30-meter resolution for the Colorado River Basin above Lake Mead Predictive soil property maps with prediction uncertainty at 30-meter resolution for the Colorado River Basin above Lake Mead
These data were compiled to demonstrate new predictive mapping approaches and provide comprehensive gridded 30 meter resolution soil property maps for the Colorado River Basin above Hoover Dam. Random forest models related environmental raster layers representing soil forming factors with field samples to render predictive maps that interpolate between sample locations. Maps represented...
High-resolution object-based image classifications of biological soil crusts and vegetation (Beef Basin, Utah) High-resolution object-based image classifications of biological soil crusts and vegetation (Beef Basin, Utah)
This dataset contains 10 classified raster images identifying the distribution and condition of biological soil crusts using high-resolution imagery from Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Also included are: a supplemental accuracy report and accuracy matrix for each classified image, and all associated accessory files. These images are located in Beef Basin, Southeastern Utah, and focuses...
Vegetation cover and composition data in environments surrounding uranium mines in the Grand Canyon ecosystem, USA Vegetation cover and composition data in environments surrounding uranium mines in the Grand Canyon ecosystem, USA
This data package contains the final combined field sampling data collected by the USGS July 2013 and July-August 2015 at three active uranium mines (Canyon Rim Mine, Pinenut Mine, and Arizona 1 Mine) as well as two reference sites (Little Robinson Tank and EZ2 Pipe) in northwestern Arizona. Vegetation and soils were assessed by using line-point intersect (LPI) methods and estimates of...
Filter Total Items: 127
Oil and gas reclamation—Operations, monitoring methods, and standards Oil and gas reclamation—Operations, monitoring methods, and standards
This publication provides broad guidance for surface management of oil and gas development with a focus on promoting successful reclamation. Successful reclamation depends on sound best management practices, clear standards and expectations, defensible monitoring for effectiveness, and management of production facilities to minimize surface disturbance. This publication provides specific
Authors
Randi Lupardus, Janna Simonsen, Gordon Toevs, Barbara Sterling, Zachary Bowen, Zoe Davidson, Steve Hanser, Emily Kachergis, Alexander Laurence-Traynor, Nika Lepak, Rebecca Mann, Aleta Nafus, David Pilliod, Michael Duniway
Grassland Effectiveness Monitoring (GEM): A tiered approach for habitat treatment assessment across private lands incentive programs Grassland Effectiveness Monitoring (GEM): A tiered approach for habitat treatment assessment across private lands incentive programs
Introduction The decline of North American grasslands is a topic of increasing interest as agencies and organizations work to address subsequent declines in wildlife species, including grassland birds (Rosenberg et al. 2019), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) (Gedir et al. 2015), and other grassland-dependent taxa. In response to grassland habitat loss, conservation programs and policies...
Authors
Anna Matthews, Rebekah Rylander, Daniel Bunting, Michael Duniway, James Giocomo, Anna Knight, Adriana Leiva, Robert Perez, Kourtney Stonehouse, Derek Wiley, Don Wilhelm
Finding a GEM: The Grassland Effectiveness Monitoring (GEM) protocol provides a tiered approach for habitat treatment assessment across private lands incentive programs Finding a GEM: The Grassland Effectiveness Monitoring (GEM) protocol provides a tiered approach for habitat treatment assessment across private lands incentive programs
The soil store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through different processes, depending on the use and management of the land. For the Maderas del Carmen and Ocampo natural protected areas, one of the main conservation goals is to preserve natural habitats, ensuring an ecological balance and making a sustainable. The main productive activity in the region is extensive livestock...
Authors
Rebekah Rylander, Anna Matthews, Daniel Bunting, Michael Duniway, James Giocomo, Anna Knight, Adriana Leiva, Robert Perez, Kourtney Stonehouse, Derek Wiley, Don Wilhelm
Time, climate, and soil settings set the course for reclamation outcomes following dryland energy development Time, climate, and soil settings set the course for reclamation outcomes following dryland energy development
Soil attributes, climate, and time since reclamation have important implications for oil and gas reclamation success on drylands. It is uncertain if reclaimed well pads, on highly degraded drylands, can successfully regain ecological function or meet indicator benchmarks for reclamation. Here, our goals were to assess patterns in reclamation outcomes relative to (1) soil attributes...
Authors
Randi Lupardus, Aarin Sengsirirak, Keven Griffen, Anna Knight, Brandon McNellis, John B. Bradford, Seth Munson, Sasha C. Reed, Miguel Villarreal, Michael Duniway
Biophysical factors control invasive annual grass hot spots in the Mojave Desert Biophysical factors control invasive annual grass hot spots in the Mojave Desert
Invasive annual grasses can promote ecosystem state changes and habitat loss in the American Southwest. Non-native annual grasses such as Bromus spp. and Schismus spp. have invaded the Mojave Desert and degraded habitat through increased fire occurrence, severity, and shifting plant community composition. Thus, it is important to identify and characterize the areas where persistent...
Authors
Tanner Smith, Tara B.B. Bishop, Michael Duniway, Miguel Villarreal, Anna Knight, Seth Munson, Eric Waller, Ryan Jensen, Richard A. Gill
Ecosystem resilience to invasion and drought: Insights after 24 years in a rare never-grazed grassland Ecosystem resilience to invasion and drought: Insights after 24 years in a rare never-grazed grassland
Understanding the resilience of ecosystems globally is hampered by the complex and interacting drivers of change characteristic of the Anthropocene. This is true for drylands of the western US, where widespread alteration of disturbance regimes and spread of invasive non-native species occurred with westward expansion during the 1800s, including the introduction of domestic livestock and...
Authors
Michael Duniway, Rebecca Finger-Higgens, Erika Geiger, David Hoover, Alix Pfennigwerth, Anna Knight, M. Van Scoyoc, Mark Miller, Jayne Belnap
Non-USGS Publications**
Browning, D.M., Duniway, M.C., Laliberte, A., and Rango, A., 2012, Hierarchical analysis of vegetation dynamics over 71 years: Soil-rainfall interactions in a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem: Ecological Applications, v. 22, p.909-926.
Duniway, M., Karl, J., Schrader, S., Baquera, N., and Herrick, J., 2012, Rangeland and pasture monitoring: an approach to interpretation of high-resolution imagery focused on observer calibration for repeatability: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, v. 184, p. 3789-3804.
Karl, J., Duniway, M.C., Nusser, S.M., Opsomer, J.D., and Unnasch, R.S., 2012, Using Very-Large-Scale Aerial Imagery for Rangeland Monitoring and Assessment: Some Statistical Considerations: Rangeland Ecology & Management, v. 65, p. 330-339.
Karl, J.W., Duniway, M.C., and Schrader, T.S., 2012, A Technique for Estimating Rangeland Canopy-Gap Size Distributions From High-Resolution Digital Imagery: Rangeland Ecology & Management, v. 65, p. 196-207.
Browning, D.M., and Duniway, M.C., 2011, Digital soil mapping in the absence of field training data: a case study using terrain attributes and semiautomated soil signature derivation to distinguish ecological potential: Applied and Environmental Soil Science.
Duniway, M.C., and Herrick, J.E., 2011, Disentangling road network impacts: the need for a holistic approach: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, v. 66, p. 31A-36A.
Peters, D.P.C., Lugo, A.E., Chapin, F.S., Pickett, S.T.A., Duniway, M.C., Rocha, A.V., Swanson, F.J., Laney, C., and Jones, J., 2011, Cross-system comparisons elucidate disturbance complexities and generalities: Ecosphere, v. 2, art. 81.
Schrader, T.S., and Duniway, M.C., 2011, Image Interpreter Tool: An ArcGIS tool for estimating vegetation cover from high-resolution imagery: Rangelands, v. 33, p. 35-40.
Duniway, M., Herrick, J., and Monger, H., 2010, Spatial and temporal variability of plant-available water in calcium carbonate-cemented soils and consequences for arid ecosystem resilience: Oecologia, v. 163, p. 215-226.
Duniway, M.C., Bestelmeyer, B.T., and Tugel, A., 2010, Soil processes and properties that distinguish ecological sites and states: Rangelands, v. 32, p. 9-15.
Duniway, M.C., Snyder, K.A., and Herrick, J.E., 2010, Spatial and temporal patterns of water availability in a grass–shrub ecotone and implications for grassland recovery in arid environments: Ecohydrology, v. 3, p. 55-67.
Duniway, M.C., Herrick, J.E., and Monger, H.C., 2007, The high water-holding capacity of petrocalcic horizons: Soil Science Society of America Journal, v. 71, p. 812-819.
Duniway, M.C., 2006, The functional role of petrocalcic horizons in desert ecosystems: spatial and temporal dynamics of plant water availability [Ph.D. Dissertation]: New Mexico State Univeristy, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.