He was credited with coining the study of aeroecology; additionally, he wrote several fundamental textbooks and publications on bat ecology.
"[4] He also helped establish the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador in 1995 to promote the study of rainforest ecology.
[5] He helped distinguish the new scientific discipline of aeroecology, which integrates geography, ecology, atmospheric science, and computational biology.
[10] In 2003, the University of Central Missouri presented him with their Distinguished Alumni Award, calling him "one of the world's leading mammalogists.
"[11] In 2011, Kunz was named a Boston University William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor,[3] which is its highest academic award.