Franz Schug
Postdoctoral Research Associate
(608) 265-9219
121 Russell Labs
1630 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Education
2021: Ph.D., Earth Observation Lab, Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
2017: M.Sc., Physical Geography, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
2014: B.Sc., Geography, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
2011: B.A., Business Administration, Univ. de Lorraine, France / HTW Saar, Germany
Research interests
My research interest lies in using Earth Observation data and methods for characterizing human settlements, and quantifying their impact on surrounding and remote areas.
My previous research includes, but is not limited to, quantifying urban expansion and densification in a Sub Saharan city, mapping sub-pixel land cover at national scale with machine learning regression, and estimating human population and material stocks from Landsat time series data. My recent work contributed to a spatially explicit understanding of dynamics of the socio-economic metabolism.
As part of the SILVIS lab, I will contribute to a better understanding of patterns and processes of global hotspots of the Wildland Urban Interface.
Personal interests
I enjoy walking, hiking, and exploring places both in nature (lakes and forests) and in cities (cafés and breweries), cooking, watching plants grow (not literally), supporting my favorite (and any other) soccer team, playing videogames and boardgames, and having cats around.
Where I'm From
Selected Publications
Schug, F.; Frantz, D.; van der Linden, S.; Hostert, P. (2021): Gridded population mapping for Germany based on building density, height and type from Earth Observation data using census disaggregation and bottom-up estimates. PLOS ONE, 16(3). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249044
Schug, F.; Frantz, D.; Okujeni, A.; van der Linden, S.; Hostert, P. (2020): Mapping urban-rural gradients of settlements and vegetation at national scale using Sentinel-2 spectral-temporal metrics and regression-based unmixing with synthetic training data. Remote Sensing of Environment, vol. 246. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2020.111810
Schug, F.; Okujeni, A.; Hauer, J.; Hostert, P.; Nielsen, J. Ø.; van der Linden, S. (2018): Mapping patterns of urban development in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, using machine learning regression modeling with bi-seasonal Landsat time series. Remote Sensing of Environment, vol. 210, 218-227. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2018.03.022