Chen-Chia Ku, Ph.D
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jjakon11.bsky.social
Chen-Chia Ku, Ph.D
@jjakon11.bsky.social
Forest ecologist focused on the biomass change and ecological processes in the forest. I love doing data visualization, taking some photography, and using #rstats a lot.

Forest ecology | Taiwan | #ggplot2 | he/him 🏳️‍🌈
https://www.chenchiaku.com
We published! I am very excited to share this story. Our study shows that Taxus mortality is not caused by competition. Many deaths began with mechanical damage from fallen trees more than a decade ago, starting a long decline that led to recent mortality.
Ku and Lutz (2025) doi.org/10.1186/s137...
Death and Taxus: the contribution of mechanical damage to the multiple factors associated with Taxus brevifolia mortality - Ecological Processes
Background Recent increases in tree mortality are often attributed to climate, but climate extremes may just be the last of many stressors that have unfolded over many years resulting in tree death. P...
doi.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Reposted by Chen-Chia Ku, Ph.D
Always a pleasure to see others recognize the value of our network.

"[The LTER Network] has enabled scientists to get answers that have led to key policy decisions, from amending the Clean Air Act to prevent acid rain to preserving old-growth forests."

Lynda Mapes for the @seattletimes.com
Trump wants to cut research centers like the one in this PNW forest
Congress will take up Trump's proposed budget cuts, which target 26 long-term ecological research centers like the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest in Oregon.
www.seattletimes.com
July 10, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The big western hemlock at Cedar flat, WA, USA
July 16, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Reposted by Chen-Chia Ku, Ph.D
India said early Wednesday that it had conducted several airstrikes on Pakistan after 26 civilians were killed in a terrorist attack in Kashmir. But evidence is growing that the Indian forces may have taken heavy losses during the operation. nyti.ms/4dbIwei
May 7, 2025 at 6:34 PM
TERN X LTSER 2025

A tree height research presentation @ TERN
February 14, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Reposted by Chen-Chia Ku, Ph.D
New #lidar images of the #Enchantments for the Washington Geological Survey. #PNW #Maps #CascadeRange
December 8, 2024 at 12:58 AM
No forest, no map but Happy Lunar New Year today!
January 29, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Doing the mortality survey in tropical monsoon forest at Nanjenshan, Taiwan.
January 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
See you next year! I am going back to my warm country.
November 14, 2024 at 1:18 AM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day12_Time_and_Space
Taiwan's 30-Year Average Temperature and Precipitation Pattern

This map, inspired by @tterence.bsky.social, uses climate data from Climate AP to illustrate Taiwan's 30-year distribution of temperature and precipitation.

Inspired by: @tterence.bsky.social
November 12, 2024 at 9:15 PM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day11_Arctic
Arctic

I used Arctic ocean DEM data to sneak in some marine DEM, mapping out the land areas. By stacking the same dataset three times, I was able to highlight the ocean, flat area, and mountainous regions.

#rstats
November 12, 2024 at 2:16 AM
Oh gosh man! How did you do that?
Yep, still playing. Can you guess the mountain before the text shows up?

An #rstats tale
November 11, 2024 at 4:24 PM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day10_Pen_and_Paper

Mudouyu Lighthouse

Having not sketched in years, I simply created a basic map of Mudou Island in Penghu, Taiwan.

Inspired by: my photo
November 10, 2024 at 11:26 PM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day9_AI_only

AI generate a vintage map of Taiwan-Not Always Right.

A dumpster AI! I'd rather write the code myself. If any information is incorrect, that's not on me!

Inspired by: Me
no code today
November 10, 2024 at 5:53 AM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day8_Data_HDX
Earthquake in Taiwan

I used earthquake data from 1990 to 2024, combined with land and ocean DEM, to illustrate how these mountains were uplifted by thousands times of plates collisions.

Inspired by: @tterence.bsky.social
November 9, 2024 at 1:45 AM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day7_VintageStyle
HET EYLAND FORMOSA

Today, I used a digital elevation model (DEM) to create a 2024 rendition inspired by Francois Valentijn's 1726 map of Formosa. Using modern data and techniques, I aimed to reimagine the map, not replicate it exactly.

#rstats
November 8, 2024 at 6:51 AM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day6_Raster

Forest Coverage in Taiwan

Taiwan is an island with 60.7% of its land covered by forests. I used forest coverage data, island DEM, and ocean DEM to create a map showcasing Taiwan as a lush and beautiful 'Formosa' island.

Inspired by @shinagawajp.bsky.social
November 6, 2024 at 10:21 PM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day5_A_Journey
My Summer Road Trip in USA

I mapped my summer road trip across the United States this year, which included a field survey and travel. The breathtaking landscapes are now unforgettable memories. I will treasure it.

Inspired by @andrew.heiss.phd
November 5, 2024 at 10:40 PM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day4_Hexagons
Rain

Today, I indirectly used a 30 m x 30 m DEM and input it into Climate AP to obtain the average rainfall for each grid over 30 years, from 1991 to 2020. I then created a hexbin map to show the rainfall density.

Inspired by @kennethkhw.bsky.social
November 4, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Does anyone know how to remove Copilot from Microsoft Word? It's so annoying when I'm starting a new paragraph in my manuscript, and I can't find a way to disable it. What a disappointing apps.

#Microsoft365
November 4, 2024 at 5:40 PM
Great snow in Logan last night!
November 3, 2024 at 3:56 PM
I’d love to try it!
#30DayMapChallenge · Day 3 · Polygons. 50-year average temperature and precipitation of Japan.

Inspired and made possible by @mohsinramay_
November 3, 2024 at 3:48 PM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day3_Polygons
Yushan National Park, Taiwan

Yushan (Mt. Jade) National Park is the highest national park in Taiwan. I mapped the contour plot and clipped it to the park boundaries to showcase the beautiful elevation gradient of Yushan National Park, the Jade.
November 3, 2024 at 3:02 PM
#30DayMapChallenge
#Day2_Lines
Mt. Jade, Taiwan

Mt. Jade, or Yushan, is the highest mountain in Taiwan. The lines on the map represent longitude, not contour lines. This truly captures the shape of Mt. Jade, the highest peak in Taiwan.

Inspired by @dickie_roper (Xwitter)

#rstats
November 2, 2024 at 6:52 AM