Neil Carter
Research Interests
My personal and professional goals involve identifying and promoting conditions that enable long-term coexistence between human populations and wildlife. These goals have directed me towards research projects that integrate ecological and human dimensions for conservation purposes. I conducted my Master's research in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan. I developed a spatially explicit ecological model (hierarchical discrete-choice models using Bayesian inference) of Black Bear (Ursus Americanus) habitat suitability throughout Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Additionally, I used a Geographic Information System (GIS) to integrate attitudinal survey data (Social Carrying Capacity) with the results of the ecological model to map areas of potential human/bear conflict. The results from this research have been used by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as part of their Black Bear management initiatives.
I am conducting my Ph.D. research in the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability at Michigan State University. I intend to develop a systems model of human/Tiger (Panthera tigris) interrelationships in and around the Chitwan National Park in Nepal. I will evaluate the relationships between human activities (influenced by socio-economic, demographic, and institutional factors) and ecologically suitable Tiger habitat (determined from remotely sensed images, flora data, and field data) through space and time. In addition, I will evaluate the social suitability of Tiger habitat in the study region (based on results from a questionnaire) to be incorporated into the systems modeling framework. Ultimately, I plan to develop a generalized human/Tiger systems model that can be used to develop conservation initiatives that promote long-term co-existence between humans and Tigers across the Tiger's range.
Related Publications/Presentations
Carter, Neil H., Shawn J. Riley, and Jianguo Liu. 2012. "Utility of a Psychological Framework for Carnivore Conservation." Oryx 46(4):525-535. PMC Journal - In Process.
Carter, Neil H., Binoj K. Shrestha, Jhamak B. Karki, Narendra Man Babu Pradhan, and Jianguo Liu. 2012. "Coexistence between Wildlife and Humans at Fine Spatial Scales." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) 109(38):15360-15365. PMCID: PMC3458348.
Carter, Neil C., Ashton Shortridge, Shawn J. Riley, Binoj Shrestha. 2012. "Using Geospatial Models to Map Local Attitudes, Beliefs, and Perceptions towards a Conflict-prone Predator." Presented at the American Association for Geographers Meeting, February 24-28, New York, NY.
Carter, Neil C. 2011. "Acceptance Capacity for Tigers in Nepal: Implications for Conservation of Predators in Human-dominated Landscapes." Presented at the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies, October 28-30, St. Paul, MN.
Carter, Neil C., Andreas Viña, Jianguo Liu, Dharma Dangol, Binoj Shrestha. 2011. "Impacts of Decentralized Natural Resource Management on Wildlife Habitat around a Protected Area in Nepal." Presented at International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, June 3-8, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
Carter, Neil C., Jianguo Liu, and Henry Campa. 2011. "Impacts of Community-based Natural Resource Management on Large Vertebrate Habitat with Implications on Landscape Scale Conservation in Nepal." Presented at the International Congress for Conservation Biology, December 5-9, Auckland, New Zealand.
Carter, Neil C., Jianguo Liu, Shawn .J. Riley, Henry Campa, and Ashton Shortridge. 2011. "Integrating Natural and Human Dimensions to Advance Tiger Conservation." Presented at the 96th annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, August 7-12, Austin, TX.
Carter, Neil C., Jianguo Liu, Shawn J. Riley, Henry Campa, and Ashton Shortridge. 2011. "Coupled Human and Natural Systems Approach to Tiger Conservation." Poster presented at American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting, February 17-21, Washington, DC.
Carter, Neil C., Shawn J. Riley, and Jianguo Liu. 2010. "Local Acceptance Capacity towards Tigers." Presented at the 71st Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, December 12-15, Minneapolis, MN.
Carter, Neil C., Andreas Viña, Jianguo Liu, Dharma Dangol, and Binoj Shrestha. 2010. "Evaluating the Impacts of Community Forests on Vegetation at Chitwan National Park, Nepal. " Presented at Global Land Project Open Science Meeting, October 16-19, Tempe, AZ.
