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.

“The Vis-a-thon workshop was very enjoyable. During the first day of the program I was able to create several potential project ideas with the help of the critics, which mainly included digital products in the form of figures. The initial proposal selected was to create a puzzle representing the balance of nature and the interconnectedness of the environment. We modified this proposal to a physical model of the main island that I conducted my research on and made the island the base of a three dimensional model of multiple data layers that were visually projected on the island. This allowed us to layer the data we have for the detection of rabbits and their predators on top of a layer representing the main habitat and anthropogenic feature (i.e., stone walls) on the island. This allowed us to integrate multiple materials and sources of data into one platform for displaying my research and exploring the interaction of the multiple variables.”

“The visit to the RISD art museum was the pivotal moment in the program that challenged me to think about how art relates to my work. I chose a painting that depicted the balance of life and death. In our final product we included this aspect of multiple sides and different perspectives by showing the mirror image of the island as a physical model and the inverse display of my data.”

- T.J. McGreevy

“My role in the collaboration was to serve as a content expert on my research data, an active partner in conceptualizing the project, remain open to different perspectives on visualizing data, and assist in the creation of the final product in whatever capacity needed. My objective was to be an equal partner in the process and not an outside observer. I learned to be more open minded about project ideas. At first, I was hesitant about focusing on my 10th (last) project idea about creating a physical object rather than just a digital product. However, this was the best integration of my initial proposed ideas because it incorporated both the physical model and digital layers seamlessly into one product.”

- T.J. McGreevy

“The Vis-a-thon program has reinforced this appreciation and allowed me to gain additional skills and methods for approaching how to visualize data. The program also clearly demonstrated the benefits of collaborating with people outside of my discipline, which I hope to continue.”

- T.J. McGreevy