Two Sides of an Island: Exploring Material and Ecological Interactions explores how the detection patterns of New England Cottontail Rabbits and their predators on Patience Island are influenced by the island's topography and ecological features. To achieve this, the team embarked on creating a series of island models, each reflecting the elevational contours and topography of the island. These models served as platforms onto which camera based field survey data, encompassing species detections and spatial distribution, was projected and analyzed. In addition, the model included the projection of habitat characteristics and the predominant human made structures on the island, stone walls.

A critical aspect of the project was the careful selection of materials. Clay and plaster were chosen deliberately for their interactive properties: plaster absorbs moisture from clay, causing it to contract and dry. This dynamic interaction between materials mirrors the intricate relationships observed on the island ecosystem, where environmental conditions significantly shape species behavior and distribution.

Through the meticulous crafting of these models and the projection of survey and habitat data onto them, the project aimed to unravel the complex interplay between New England cottontails, their predators, and their environment. By gaining insights into the factors shaping species distribution patterns and habitat utilization across the island, the project endeavored to contribute to a deeper understanding of the island's ecology. Ultimately, this knowledge can inform conservation efforts aimed at preserving the delicate balance of the island's ecosystem and help conserve the species by using the animals on the island as a source population to seed mainland sites.

“We aimed to create a sandbox in which the person interacting with is able to imagine and recreate the topography of the ocean. ”

- Emir Cem Gezer