Overview
Background
Dr. Vilim Filipović’s area of interest are in environmental soil science and ecohydrology with expertise in soil physical processes, vadose zone hydrology, contaminant/nutrient transport, and numerical modelling. His research explores the complex interactions between soil, water, and contaminants/nutrients, with applications in environmental sustainability, agricultural resilience, and mine rehabilitation. By integrating long-term field monitoring, experimental research, and computational modelling, his work assesses environmental pressures and evaluates management strategies for soil and water resources.
Dr. Filipović obtained his PhD in Environmental Soil Science and Hydrology from the University of Zagreb, Croatia. He has held academic and research positions in Europe and Australia, and still currently holds an Adjunct Associate Professor position at the University of Zagreb. In 2022, he joined The University of Queensland, where he contributes to research and teaching in environmental soil science, vadose zone ecohydrology, and numerical modelling.
With an extensive international network, Dr. Filipović has led numerous national and international research projects on soil-plant-atmosphere interactions, preferential flow, and contaminant fate in soil systems. His research collaborations span institutions in Australia, Europe, and North America, and he has been a visiting scholar at CSIRO (Australia), SLU (Sweden), Penn State University, University of California, University of Florida (USA), BOKU (Austria), and ZALF (Germany), among others.
At UQ, Dr. Filipović plays an active role in undergraduate and postgraduate education, employing a research-led teaching approach in environmental soil science. He coordinates and lectures in key courses, including LAND2003, AGRC7053, LAND3005, and GEOS1100, emphasizing hands-on field and laboratory experiences, active learning methodologies, and the integration of cutting-edge research into student learning.
Dr. Filipović is a recognized leader in his field, serving as an Associate Editor for the Soil Science Society of America Journal, Vadose Zone Journal and Applied Soil Ecology. His contributions have been acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Soil Science Society of America Early Career Award (2019) Visiting Fellowship at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (2021) in Germany and CRC TiME Award winner for Outstanding Research Communication award (2024), among other recognitions.
Dr. Filipović has held significant leadership roles, including Head of Department at the University of Zagreb, leadership of a Critical Zone Observatory, panel membership for national science foundations, curriculum development, and various committee positions. His work continues to contribute to advancing soil science research, education, and environmental management on national and international scale.
Research Interests
- Environmental sciences and agroecology
- Preferential flow and non-equilibrium transport processes in heterogeneous soils
- Fate of contaminants in soil (i.e., nutrients, pesticides, trace metals, pharmaceuticals)
- Vadose (critical) zone processes
- Soil physics and hydrology
- Soil hydraulic properties estimation
Teaching
- LAND2003 The Soil Environment (coordinator)
- LAND3005 Soil Plant Relationships
- AGRC7053 Sustainable Soil Management (coordinator)
- GEOS1100 Environment & Society
Availability
- Dr Vilim Filipović is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Research interests
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Soil Hydraulic Properties and Their Role in Ecosystem Functions
Soil water dynamics influence biogeochemical cycling, plant water uptake, contaminant mobility, and ecosystem resilience. Understanding soil hydraulic properties is essential for predicting water movement in natural and managed landscapes and agroecosystems. Dr. Filipović’s research advances methodologies for estimating soil hydraulic properties using in-field, laboratory, and inverse numerical approaches, with applications in environmental monitoring, land rehabilitation, and ecosystem restoration.
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Transport Processes in the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum
The vadose zone acts as a critical interface regulating water and solute fluxes across soil, vegetation, and the atmosphere. Dr. Filipović investigates how preferential flow and non-equilibrium transport processes affect water availability, contaminant movement, and ecosystem sustainability. His research employs cutting-edge techniques such as displacement soil cores, lysimeter experiments, CT imaging, and in-situ monitoring to enhance the understanding of water and solute fluxes in structured soils.
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Numerical Modelling of Water Flow and Solute Transport in Heterogeneous Soils
Numerical modelling is an essential tool for predicting the effects of environmental change and land management strategies on soil-water interactions and transport of various contaminants or nutrients. Dr. Filipović applies advanced numerical models (e.g., HYDRUS suite) to simulate water flow and solute transport (i.e., nutrients, pesticides, trace metals, pharmaceuticals) in one-, two-, and three-dimensional porous media. His work emphasizes preferential flow and non-uniform solute transport in structured soils, contributing to improved environmental risk assessments and more sustainable land-use practices.
Research impacts
Soil, particularly the vadose (critical) zone, is a key component of terrestrial ecosystems, regulating water flow, solute transport, and biogeochemical cycling. As global environmental pressures intensify, there is an urgent need to enhance our understanding of soil-water-atmosphere interactions to mitigate pollution, support water security, soil health, and promote ecosystem resilience.
Dr. Filipović’s research is dedicated to understanding the transport processes within the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, with an emphasis on reducing environmental pressures on soil and water resources. His work integrates advanced soil monitoring techniques and numerical modeling approaches to address key challenges in soil water dynamics, preferential flow, contaminant fate, mine rehabilitation ecohydrology, and ecosystem restoration. His research spans large-scale field experiments, lysimeter studies, glasshouse trials, and laboratory investigations, with a particular focus on numerical modeling of soil-water processes.
Through national and international research initiatives, Dr. Filipović contributes to sustainable environmental management and land-use strategies that minimize contamination risks and support ecosystem services.
Works
Search Professor Vilim Filipović’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Enhancing soil ecological stoichiometry and orchard yield through ground cover management: A meta-analysis across China
Ding, Weiting, Gao, Huizhou, Qi, Zhidong, Sun, Liangjie, Zheng, Chengwei, Huang, Jinsong, Filipović, Vilim and He, Hailong (2025). Enhancing soil ecological stoichiometry and orchard yield through ground cover management: A meta-analysis across China. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 384 109556, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2025.109556
2025
Journal Article
From soil health to agricultural productivity: The critical role of soil constraint management
Li, Tong, Cui, Lizhen, Filipović, Vilim, Tang, Caixian, Lai, Yunru, Wehr, Bernhard, Song, Xiufang, Chapman, Scott, Liu, Hongdou, Dalal, Ram C. and Dang, Yash P. (2025). From soil health to agricultural productivity: The critical role of soil constraint management. Catena, 250 108776, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.catena.2025.108776
2025
Journal Article
Dynamic modeling of soil water dynamics and nitrogen species transport with multi-crop rotations under variable-saturated conditions
Filipović, Vilim, Petošić, Dragutin, Mustać, Ivan, Bogunović, Igor, He, Hailong and Filipović, Lana (2025). Dynamic modeling of soil water dynamics and nitrogen species transport with multi-crop rotations under variable-saturated conditions. Land, 14 (2) 315, 1-24. doi: 10.3390/land14020315
2025
Journal Article
Uncovering soil preferential flow induced by different drip irrigation emitter settings: Insights integrating wetting-fronts image variability, HYDRUS-2D, and active region model
Chen, Rui, Filipović, Vilim, Zhang, Jinzhu, Li, Wenhao, Ye, Hanchun, Zhang, Jihong and Wang, Zhenhua (2025). Uncovering soil preferential flow induced by different drip irrigation emitter settings: Insights integrating wetting-fronts image variability, HYDRUS-2D, and active region model. Catena, 249 108669, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.catena.2024.108669
2024
Journal Article
Hydro-pedotransfer functions: a roadmap for future development
Weber, Tobias Karl David, Weihermüller, Lutz, Nemes, Attila, Bechtold, Michel, Degré, Aurore, Diamantopoulos, Efstathios, Fatichi, Simone, Filipović, Vilim, Gupta, Surya, Hohenbrink, Tobias L., Hirmas, Daniel R., Jackisch, Conrad, de Jong van Lier, Quirijn, Koestel, John, Lehmann, Peter, Marthews, Toby R., Minasny, Budiman, Pagel, Holger, van der Ploeg, Martine, Shojaeezadeh, Shahab Aldin, Svane, Simon Fiil, Szabó, Brigitta, Vereecken, Harry, Verhoef, Anne, Young, Michael, Zeng, Yijian, Zhang, Yonggen and Bonetti, Sara (2024). Hydro-pedotransfer functions: a roadmap for future development. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 28 (14), 3391-3433. doi: 10.5194/hess-28-3391-2024
2024
Journal Article
Soil heterogeneity and the challenge of identifying a trajectory of soil properties development at a mine rehabilitated site
Vilim, Filipović, Bucka, Franziska B., Pihlap, Evelin and Baumgartl, Thomas (2024). Soil heterogeneity and the challenge of identifying a trajectory of soil properties development at a mine rehabilitated site. Soil and Tillage Research, 239 106056, 106056-7. doi: 10.1016/j.still.2024.106056
2024
Journal Article
Impact of hillslope agriculture on soil compaction and seasonal water dynamics in a temperate vineyard
Defterdarović, Jasmina, Filipović, Lana, Ondrašek, Gabrijel, Bogunović, Igor, Dugan, Ivan, Phogat, Vinod, He, Hailong, Rashti, Mehran Rezaei, Tavakkoli, Ehsan, Baumgartl, Thomas, Baghbani, Abolfazl, McLaren, Timothy I. and Filipović, Vilim (2024). Impact of hillslope agriculture on soil compaction and seasonal water dynamics in a temperate vineyard. Land, 13 (5) 588, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/land13050588
2024
Journal Article
Miscellaneous methods for determination of unfrozen water content in frozen soils
Feng, Shuna, Chen, Junru, Jones, Scott B., Flerchinger, Gerald, Dyck, Miles, Filipovic, Vilim, Hu, You, Si, Bingcheng, Lv, Jialong, Wu, Qingbai and He, Hailong (2024). Miscellaneous methods for determination of unfrozen water content in frozen soils. Journal of Hydrology, 631 130802, 130802. doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.130802
2023
Journal Article
Effects of biochar and cattle manure under different tillage management on soil properties and crop growth in Croatia
Bogunovic, Igor, Dugan, Ivan, Pereira, Paulo, Filipovic, Vilim, Filipovic, Lana, Krevh, Vedran, Defterdarovic, Jasmina, Matisic, Manuel and Kisic, Ivica (2023). Effects of biochar and cattle manure under different tillage management on soil properties and crop growth in Croatia. Agriculture, 13 (11) 2128, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/agriculture13112128
2023
Journal Article
Mulch and grass cover unevenly halt runoff initiation and sediment detachment during the growing season of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) in Croatia
Matisic, Manuel, Reljic, Marko, Dugan, Ivan, Pereira, Paulo, Filipovic, Vilim, Filipovic, Lana, Krevh, Vedran and Bogunovic, Igor (2023). Mulch and grass cover unevenly halt runoff initiation and sediment detachment during the growing season of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) in Croatia. Sustainability, 15 (21) 15200, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/su152115200
2023
Journal Article
Sustainability of a rainfed wheat production system in relation to water and nitrogen dynamics in the soil in the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
Phogat, Vinod, Šimůnek, Jirka, Petrie, Paul, Pitt, Tim and Filipović, Vilim (2023). Sustainability of a rainfed wheat production system in relation to water and nitrogen dynamics in the soil in the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Sustainability, 15 (18) 13370, 1-22. doi: 10.3390/su151813370
2023
Journal Article
Straw mulch application enhanced soil properties and reduced diffuse pollution at a steep vineyard in Istria (Croatia)
Dugan, Ivan, Pereira, Paulo, Defterdarovic, Jasmina, Filipovic, Lana, Filipovic, Vilim and Bogunovic, Igor (2023). Straw mulch application enhanced soil properties and reduced diffuse pollution at a steep vineyard in Istria (Croatia). Land, 12 (9) 1691, 1-21. doi: 10.3390/land12091691
2023
Journal Article
Mulch as a nature-based solution to halt and reverse land degradation in agricultural areas
Bogunović, Igor and Filipović, Vilim (2023). Mulch as a nature-based solution to halt and reverse land degradation in agricultural areas. Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health, 34 100488, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.coesh.2023.100488
2023
Journal Article
Soil–Water Dynamics Investigation at Agricultural Hillslope with High-Precision Weighing Lysimeters and Soil–Water Collection Systems
Krevh, Vedran, Groh, Jannis, Filipović, Lana, Gerke, Horst H., Defterdarović, Jasmina, Thompson, Sally, Sraka, Mario, Bogunović, Igor, Kovač, Zoran, Robinson, Nathan, Baumgartl, Thomas and Filipović, Vilim (2023). Soil–Water Dynamics Investigation at Agricultural Hillslope with High-Precision Weighing Lysimeters and Soil–Water Collection Systems. Water, 15 (13) 2398, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/w15132398
2023
Journal Article
Using dye and bromide tracers to identify preferential water flow in agricultural hillslope soil under controlled conditions
Defterdarović, Jasmina, Krevh, Vedran, Filipović, Lana, Kovač, Zoran, Phogat, Vinod, He, Hailong, Baumgartl, Thomas and Filipović, Vilim (2023). Using dye and bromide tracers to identify preferential water flow in agricultural hillslope soil under controlled conditions. Water, 15 (12) 2178, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/w15122178
2023
Journal Article
Land Resources in Organic Agriculture: Trends and Challenges in the Twenty-First Century from Global to Croatian Contexts
Ondrasek, Gabrijel, Horvatinec, Jelena, Kovačić, Marina Bubalo, Reljić, Marko, Vinceković, Marko, Rathod, Santosha, Bandumula, Nirmala, Dharavath, Ramesh, Rashid, Muhammad Imtiaz, Panfilova, Olga, Kodikara, Kodikara Arachchilage Sunanda, Defterdarović, Jasmina, Krevh, Vedran, Filipović, Vilim, Filipović, Lana, Čop, Tajana and Njavro, Mario (2023). Land Resources in Organic Agriculture: Trends and Challenges in the Twenty-First Century from Global to Croatian Contexts. Agronomy, 13 (6) 1544, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/agronomy13061544
2023
Journal Article
Investigating near-surface hydrologic connectivity in a grass-covered inter-row area of a hillslope vineyard using field monitoring and numerical simulations
Krevh, Vedran, Filipović, Lana, Defterdarović, Jasmina, Bogunović, Igor, Zhang, Yonggen, Kovač, Zoran, Barton, Andrew and Filipović, Vilim (2023). Investigating near-surface hydrologic connectivity in a grass-covered inter-row area of a hillslope vineyard using field monitoring and numerical simulations. Land, 12 (5) 1095, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/land12051095
2023
Journal Article
Effect of sewage sludge-derived amendments on the nutrient uptake by Chinese cabbage from Mediterranean soils
Černe, Marko, Palčić, Igor, Major, Nikola, Pasković, Igor, Perković, Josipa, Užila, Zoran, Filipović, Vilim, Romić, Marija, Goreta Ban, Smiljana, Heath, David John and Ban, Dean (2023). Effect of sewage sludge-derived amendments on the nutrient uptake by Chinese cabbage from Mediterranean soils. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 46 (7), 1421-1445. doi: 10.1080/01904167.2022.2071732
2023
Journal Article
Straw mulch effect on soil and water loss in different growth phases of maize sown on stagnosols in Croatia
Bogunović, Igor, Hrelja, Iva, Kisić, Ivica, Dugan, Ivan, Krevh, Vedran, Defterdarović, Jasmina, Filipović, Vilim, Filipović, Lana and Pereira, Paulo (2023). Straw mulch effect on soil and water loss in different growth phases of maize sown on stagnosols in Croatia. Land, 12 (4) 765, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/land12040765
2023
Journal Article
Estimation of Precipitation Fraction in the Soil Water of the Hillslope Vineyard Using Stable Isotopes of Water
Kovač, Zoran, Krevh, Vedran, Filipović, Lana, Defterdarović, Jasmina, Balaž, Borna-Ivan and Filipović, Vilim (2023). Estimation of Precipitation Fraction in the Soil Water of the Hillslope Vineyard Using Stable Isotopes of Water. Water, 15 (5) 988, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/w15050988
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Vilim Filipović is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Estimation of soil hydraulic properties and related predictive modelling challenges
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
Impact of Soil Organic Carbon on Nitrogen and Water Dynamics under Rainfed and Irrigated Sweetpotato Production in Papua New Guinea Highlands
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gunnar Kirchhof
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Doctor Philosophy
Wheat responses to different sources of nitrogen as affected by phosphorus in the northern grain region of eastern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell, Dr Tim McLaren
Media
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