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
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
2021
Journal Article
Determination of soil hydraulic parameters and evaluation of water dynamics and nitrate leaching in the unsaturated layered zone: a modeling case study in central croatia
Defterdarović, Jasmina, Filipović, Lana, Kranjčec, Filip, Ondrašek, Gabrijel, Kikić, Diana, Novosel, Alen, Mustać, Ivan, Krevh, Vedran, Magdić, Ivan, Rubinić, Vedran, Bogunović, Igor, Dugan, Ivan, Čopec, Krešimir, He, Hailong and Filipović, Vilim (2021). Determination of soil hydraulic parameters and evaluation of water dynamics and nitrate leaching in the unsaturated layered zone: a modeling case study in central croatia. Sustainability, 13 (12) 6688, 1-20. doi: 10.3390/su13126688
2021
Journal Article
Growth and element uptake by salt-sensitive crops under combined NaCl and Cd stresses
Ondrasek, Gabrijel, Rengel, Zed, Maurović, Nada, Kondres, Nada, Filipović, Vilim, Savić, Radovan, Blagojević, Boško, Tanaskovik, Vjekoslav, Gergichevich, Cristian Meriño and Romić, Davor (2021). Growth and element uptake by salt-sensitive crops under combined NaCl and Cd stresses. Plants, 10 (6) 1202, 1202. doi: 10.3390/plants10061202
2021
Journal Article
Biomass bottom ash & dolomite similarly ameliorate an acidic low-nutrient soil, improve phytonutrition and growth, but increase Cd accumulation in radish
Ondrasek, Gabrijel, Kranjčec, Filip, Filipović, Lana, Filipović, Vilim, Bubalo Kovačić, Marina, Badovinac, Ivana Jelovica, Peter, Robert, Petravić, Mladen, Macan, Jelena and Rengel, Zed (2021). Biomass bottom ash & dolomite similarly ameliorate an acidic low-nutrient soil, improve phytonutrition and growth, but increase Cd accumulation in radish. Science of the Total Environment, 753 141902. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141902
2021
Journal Article
Succession of microbial community in a small water body within the alluvial aquifer of a large river
Kulaš, Antonija, Marković, Tamara, Žutinić, Petar, Kajan, Katarina, Karlović, Igor, Orlić, Sandi, Keskin, Emre, Filipović, Vilim and Udovič, Marija Gligora (2021). Succession of microbial community in a small water body within the alluvial aquifer of a large river. Water, 13 (2) 115, 115. doi: 10.3390/w13020115
2021
Journal Article
Evaluation of a Sprayable Biodegradable Polymer Membrane (SBPM) Technology for soil water conservation in tomato and watermelon production systems
Braunack, Michael, Filipovic, Vilim, Adhikari, Raju, Freischmidt, George, Johnston, Priscilla, Casey, Phil S., Wang, Yusong, Simunek, Jiri, Filipovic, Lana and Bristow, Keith L. (2021). Evaluation of a Sprayable Biodegradable Polymer Membrane (SBPM) Technology for soil water conservation in tomato and watermelon production systems. Agricultural Water Management, 243 106446, 106446. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106446
2021
Book Chapter
A review of time domain reflectometry (TDR) applications in porous media
He, Hailong, Aogu, Kailin, Li, Min, Xu, Jinghui, Sheng, Wenyi, Jones, Scott B., González-Teruel, Juan D., Robinson, David A., Horton, Robert, Bristow, Keith, Dyck, Miles, Filipović, Vilim, Noborio, Kosuke, Wu, Qingbai, Jin, Huijun, Feng, Hao, Si, Bingcheng and Lv, Jialong (2021). A review of time domain reflectometry (TDR) applications in porous media. Advances in Agronomy. (pp. 83-155) Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/bs.agron.2021.02.003
2021
Journal Article
Spatial mapping of soil chemical properties using multivariate geostatistics. A study from cropland in eastern croatia Prostorno mapiranje kemijskih svojstava tla koristeći multivarijatnu geostatistiku. Studija s oraničnih tala u istočnoj hrvatskoj
Bogunovic, Igor, Filipovic, Lana, Filipovic, Vilim and Pereira, Paulo (2021). Spatial mapping of soil chemical properties using multivariate geostatistics. A study from cropland in eastern croatia Prostorno mapiranje kemijskih svojstava tla koristeći multivarijatnu geostatistiku. Studija s oraničnih tala u istočnoj hrvatskoj. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 22 (1), 201-210. doi: 10.5513/JCEA01/22.1.3011
2020
Journal Article
Land management impacts on soil properties and initial soil erosion processes in olives and vegetable crops
Bogunovic, Igor, Telak, Leon Josip, Pereira, Paulo, Filipovic, Vilim, Filipovic, Lana, Percin, Aleksandra, Durdevic, Boris, Birkás, Márta, Dekemati, Igor and Comino, Jesus Rodrigo (2020). Land management impacts on soil properties and initial soil erosion processes in olives and vegetable crops. Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics, 68 (4), 328-337. doi: 10.2478/johh-2020-0033
2020
Journal Article
Short-term impact of tillage on soil and the hydrological response within a fig (Ficus carica) orchard in croatia
Telak, Leon Josip, Pereira, Paulo, Ferreira, Carla S. S., Filipovic, Vilim, Filipovic, Lana and Bogunovic, Igor (2020). Short-term impact of tillage on soil and the hydrological response within a fig (Ficus carica) orchard in croatia. Water, 12 (11) 3295, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/w12113295
2020
Journal Article
Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems: A scientometric analysis
He, Donghui, Bristow, Keith, Filipović, Vilim, Lv, Jialong and He, Hailong (2020). Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems: A scientometric analysis. Sustainability, 12 (20) 8739, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/su12208739
2020
Journal Article
Modeling carbamazepine transport in wastewater-irrigated soil under different land uses
Filipović, Lana, Filipović, Vilim, Walker, Charles W., Williams, Clinton, Preisdanz, Heather E. and Watson, John E. (2020). Modeling carbamazepine transport in wastewater-irrigated soil under different land uses. Journal of Environmental Quality, 49 (4), 1011-1019. doi: 10.1002/jeq2.20074
2020
Journal Article
Response of Soil Dehydrogenase Activity to Salinity and Cadmium Species
Filipović, Lana, Romić, Marija, Sikora, Sanja, Huić Babić, Katarina, Filipović, Vilim, Gerke, Horst H. and Romić, Davor (2020). Response of Soil Dehydrogenase Activity to Salinity and Cadmium Species. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 20 (2), 530-536. doi: 10.1007/s42729-019-00140-w
2020
Journal Article
Initial experimental experience with a Sprayable Biodegradable Polymer Membrane (SBPM) technology in cotton
Braunack, Michael, Adhikari, Raju, Freischmidt, George, Johnston, Priscilla, Casey, Philip S., Wang, Yusong, Bristow, Keith L., Filipovic, Lana and Filipovic, Vilim (2020). Initial experimental experience with a Sprayable Biodegradable Polymer Membrane (SBPM) technology in cotton. Agronomy, 10 (4), 584. doi: 10.3390/agronomy10040584
2020
Journal Article
A Sprayable Biodegradable Polymer Membrane (SBPM) technology: Effect of band width and application rate on water conservation and seedling emergence
Braunack, Michael V., Zaja, Adriana, Tam, Kang, Filipović, Lana, Filipović, Vilim, Wang, Yusong and Bristow, Keith L. (2020). A Sprayable Biodegradable Polymer Membrane (SBPM) technology: Effect of band width and application rate on water conservation and seedling emergence. Agricultural Water Management, 230 105900, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2019.105900
2020
Book Chapter
Agricultural management strategies for countering drought conditions in Eastern Croatia
Mustać, Ivan, Filipović, Vilim, Filipović, Lana, Ondrašek, Gabrijel and Petošić, Dragutin (2020). Agricultural management strategies for countering drought conditions in Eastern Croatia. Drought - detection and solutions. London, United Kingdom: IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.88503
2020
Journal Article
The effects of irrigation water salinity level on faba bean (Vicia faba l.) productivity Učinci razine zaslanjenosti vode za navodnjavanje na produktivnost boba (Vicia faba l.)
Filipović, Lana, Romić, Davor, Ondrašek, Gabrijel, Mustać, Ivan and Filipović, Vilim (2020). The effects of irrigation water salinity level on faba bean (Vicia faba l.) productivity Učinci razine zaslanjenosti vode za navodnjavanje na produktivnost boba (Vicia faba l.). Journal of Central European Agriculture, 21 (3), 537-542. doi: 10.5513/JCEA01/21.3.2872
2019
Journal Article
The effect of stabilization on the utilization of municipal sewage sludge as a soil amendment
Černe, Marko, Palčić, Igor, Pasković, Igor, Major, Nikola, Romić, Marija, Filipović, Vilim, Igrc, Marina Diana, Perčin, Aleksandra, Goreta Ban, Smiljana, Zorko, Benjamin, Vodenik, Branko, Glavič Cindro, Denis, Milačič, Radmila, Heath, David John and Ban, Dean (2019). The effect of stabilization on the utilization of municipal sewage sludge as a soil amendment. Waste Management, 94, 27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.05.032
2019
Journal Article
Estimating the extent of fire induced soil water repellency in Mediterranean environment
Weninger, Thomas, Filipović, Vilim, Mešić, Mirel, Clothier, Brent and Filipović, Lana (2019). Estimating the extent of fire induced soil water repellency in Mediterranean environment. Geoderma, 338, 187-196. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.12.008
2019
Journal Article
Effect of fire-induced water repellency on soil hydraulic properties and water flow
Filipović, Lana, Mešić, Mirel, Weninger, Thomas, Schwen, Andreas, Novosel, Alen, Maretić, Matej and Filipović, Vilim (2019). Effect of fire-induced water repellency on soil hydraulic properties and water flow. Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, 84 (2), 143-150.
2018
Journal Article
Inverse estimation of soil hydraulic properties and water repellency following artificially induced drought stress
Filipović, Vilim, Weninger, Thomas, Filipović, Lana, Schwen, Andreas, Bristow, Keith L., Zechmeister-Boltenstern, Sophie and Leitner, Sonja (2018). Inverse estimation of soil hydraulic properties and water repellency following artificially induced drought stress. Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics, 66 (2), 170-180. doi: 10.2478/johh-2018-0002
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Vilim Filipović is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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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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