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
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
Conference Publication
Glyphosate adsorption in continental and Mediterranean vineyard soils of Croatia
Stipičević, Sanja, Fingler, Sanja, Filipović, Vilim, Filipović, Lana, Zovko, Monika, Kranjčec, Filip, Barić, Klara and Ondrašek, Gabrijel (2019). Glyphosate adsorption in continental and Mediterranean vineyard soils of Croatia. Glyphosate adsorption in continental and Mediterranean vineyard soils of Croatia, Thessaloniki, Greece, 16–20 Jun 2019.
2019
Journal Article
Global environmental changes impact soil hydraulic functions through biophysical feedbacks
Robinson, David A., Hopmans, Jan W., Filipovic, Vilim, van der Ploeg, Martine, Lebron, Inma, Jones, Scott B., Reinsch, Sabine, Jarvis, Nick and Tuller, Markus (2019). Global environmental changes impact soil hydraulic functions through biophysical feedbacks. Global Change Biology, 25 (6), 1895-1904. doi: 10.1111/gcb.14626
2019
Conference Publication
Dinamika površinskog otjecanja i koncentracije nitrata s nagnutog vinogradarskog položaja uslijed različitog intenziteta oborina
Ondrašek, Gabrijel, Zovko, Monika, Filipović, Vilim, Filipović, Lana, Kranjčec, Filip, Kovačić, Marina Bubalo, Maurović, Nada, Andabaka, Željko, Maletić, Edi and Krevh, Vedran (2019). Dinamika površinskog otjecanja i koncentracije nitrata s nagnutog vinogradarskog položaja uslijed različitog intenziteta oborina. 7th Croatian Water Conference with International Participation – Croatian Waters in Environmental and Nature Protection, Opatija, Croatia, 30 May – 1 June 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Transfer of potentially toxic elements to Chinese cabbage from soil amended with compost derived from the sewage sludge
Černe, Marko, Palčić, Igor, Pasković, Igor, Major, Nikola, Užila, Zoran, Perković, Josipa, Ban, Smiljana Goreta, Filipović, Vilim, Romić, Marija, Jaćimović, Radojko, Benedik, Ljubo and Ban, Dean (2019). Transfer of potentially toxic elements to Chinese cabbage from soil amended with compost derived from the sewage sludge. 1st ISO-FOOD International Symposium on Isotopic and Other Techniques in Food Safety and Quality, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 22-24 April 2019.
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
Conference Publication
The influence of field crops cultivation on water pollution in Biđ-Bosut field
Petošić, Dragutin, Kovačić, Marina Bubalo, Filipović, Vilim, Knežević, Dario and Mustać, Ivan (2019). The influence of field crops cultivation on water pollution in Biđ-Bosut field. 54th Croatian & 14th International Symposium on Agriculture, Vodice, Croatia, 17-22 February 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
The influence of field crops cultivation on water pollution in the Biđ-Bosut field
Petošić, Dragutin, Kovačić, Marina Bubalo, Filipović, Vilim, Knežević, Dario and Mustać, Ivan (2019). The influence of field crops cultivation on water pollution in the Biđ-Bosut field. 54th Croatian and 14th International Symposium on Agriculture, Vodice, Croatia, 3-8 February 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Application of laboratory and field methods in assessing soil hydraulic parameters and transport processes
Filipović, Vilim, Filipović, Lana, Kovačić, Marina Bubalo, Kranjčec, Filip, Maurović, Nada, Zovko, Monika and Ondrašek, Gabrijel (2019). Application of laboratory and field methods in assessing soil hydraulic parameters and transport processes. 54th Croatian and 14th International Symposium on Agriculture, Vodice, Croatia, 3-8 February 2019.
2019
Journal Article
Representation of plot-scale soil heterogeneity in dual-domain effective flow and transport models with mass exchange
Filipović, Vilim, Coquet, Yves and Gerke, Horst H. (2019). Representation of plot-scale soil heterogeneity in dual-domain effective flow and transport models with mass exchange. Vadose Zone Journal, 18 (1) 180174, 1-14. doi: 10.2136/vzj2018.09.0174
2019
Conference Publication
Dynamics of surface runoff and nitrate concentration from hillslope vineyard position due to different intensity of precipitation
Ondrašek, Gabrijel, Zovko, Monika, Filipović, Vilim, Filipović, Lana, Kranjčec, Filip, Bubalo Kovačić, Marina, Andabaka, Željko, Maletić, Edi, Krevh, Vedran and Romić, Davor (2019). Dynamics of surface runoff and nitrate concentration from hillslope vineyard position due to different intensity of precipitation. 7th Croatian Water Conference (with international participation), Opatija, Croatia, 30 May - 1 June 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Modeling glyphosate transport in soils under different agricultural conditions using lysimeter and soil column data
Filipović, Vilim, Stipičević, Sanja, Fingler, Sanja, Filipović, Lana, Bubalo Kovačić, Marina, Kranjčec, Filip and Ondrašek, Gabrijel (2019). Modeling glyphosate transport in soils under different agricultural conditions using lysimeter and soil column data. 54th Croatian and 14th International Symposium on Agriculture, Vodice, Croatia, 3-8 February 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Continuous monitoring of soil water regime and water quality in agroecosystems in the area of the amelioration drainage canal for irrigation of the Biđ-Bosut field
Petošić, Dragutin, Kovačić, Marina Bubalo, Filipović, Vilim and Mustać, Ivan (2019). Continuous monitoring of soil water regime and water quality in agroecosystems in the area of the amelioration drainage canal for irrigation of the Biđ-Bosut field. 7th Croatian Water Conference (with international participation), Opatija, Croatia, January 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Water balance estimation in ameliorated soil containing rock fragments: connecting X-ray imaging and numerical modeling
Filipović, Vilim, Koestel, Johan, Larsbo, Mats, Šimůnek, Jirka, Filipović, Lana and Romić, Davor (2019). Water balance estimation in ameliorated soil containing rock fragments: connecting X-ray imaging and numerical modeling. SSSA International Soils Meeting — Soils Across Latitudes, San Diego, CA, United States, 6-9 January 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Quantification of local scale preferential flow and nonlinear solute transport processes in highly structured soils
Filipović, Vilim and Gerke, Horst H. (2019). Quantification of local scale preferential flow and nonlinear solute transport processes in highly structured soils. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting — Embracing the Digital Environment, San Antonio, TX, United States, 10–13 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Can we improve agricultural (environmental) management by using novel numerical modeling approaches?
Filipović, Vilim, Gerke, Horst H., Robinson, David A., Šimůnek, Jirka, Bristow, Keith L. and Clothier, Brent (2019). Can we improve agricultural (environmental) management by using novel numerical modeling approaches?. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting — Embracing the Digital Environment, San Antonio, TX, United States, 10-13 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Transport processes affecting organic contaminants fate within soil vadose zone in arable landscapes
Filipović, Vilim (2019). Transport processes affecting organic contaminants fate within soil vadose zone in arable landscapes. International Workshop on Organic Pollutants in Agro-Environments, Nanjing, China, September 2019.
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
Conference Publication
Evaluation of leaching potential of nutrients from vineyard soils
Zovko, Monika, Kovačić, Marina Bubalo, Filipović, Lana, Filipović, Vilim, Kranjčec, Filip and Ondrašek, Gabrijel (2018). Evaluation of leaching potential of nutrients from vineyard soils. 13th Congress of the Croatian Society of Soil Science, Vukovar, Croatia, 10-14 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Estimation of water repellency effect on soil hydraulic properties in a burned forest site
Filipović, Vilim, Mešić, Mirel, Weninger, Thomas, Schwen, Andreas and Filipović, Lana (2018). Estimation of water repellency effect on soil hydraulic properties in a burned forest site. 13th Congress of the Croatian Society of Soil Science, Vukovar, Croatia, 10-14 September 2018.
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
Estimation of soil hydraulic properties and related predictive modelling challenges
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell, 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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