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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
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.
2018
Conference Publication
Trace metals mobility in vineyard soils estimated through soil column experiments and a lysimeter study
Filipović, Lana, Romić, Davor, Filipović, Vilim, Kovačić, Marina Bubalo, Zovko, Monika, Kranjčec, Filip and Ondrašek, Gabrijel (2018). Trace metals mobility in vineyard soils estimated through soil column experiments and a lysimeter study. 13th Congress of the Croatian Society of Soil Science, Osijek, Croatia, 10-14 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Estimation of vineyard pesticides mobility through soil column experiments and lysimeters study
Filipović, Vilim, Stipičević, Sanja, Fingler, Sanja, Filipović, Lana, Kovačić, Marina Bubalo, Kranjčec, Filip, Barić, Klara and Ondrašek, Gabrijel (2018). Estimation of vineyard pesticides mobility through soil column experiments and lysimeters study. 13th Congress of the Croatian Society of Soil Science, Vukovar, Croatia, 10-14 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Element phytoavailability in soils of a long-term field experiment amended with urban waste composts
Filipović, Lana, Michaud, Aurélia, Cambier, Philippe, Filipović, Vilim, Benoit, Pierre and Houot, Sabine (2018). Element phytoavailability in soils of a long-term field experiment amended with urban waste composts. 13th Congress of the Croatian Society of Soil Science, Osijek, Croatia, 10-14 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Characterizing plot scale soil heterogeneity by effective mass exchange parameters in 1D dual-domain flow and transport models
Filipović, Vilim, Coquet, Yves and Gerke, Horst H. (2018). Characterizing plot scale soil heterogeneity by effective mass exchange parameters in 1D dual-domain flow and transport models. German Soil Science Society Annual Meeting, Braunschweig, Germany, 6-7 September 2018.
2018
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 (2018). The influence of field crops cultivation on water pollution in Biđ-Bosut field. Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU) Rijeka Bosut i Pobosuće u prošlosti, sadašnjosti i budućnosti, Zagreb, Croatia, September 2018.
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
2018
Journal Article
Organic matter and salinity modify cadmium soil (phyto)availability
Filipović, Lana, Romić, Marija, Romić, Davor, Filipović, Vilim and Ondrašek, Gabrijel (2018). Organic matter and salinity modify cadmium soil (phyto)availability. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 147, 824-831. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.09.041
2018
Conference Publication
Influence of dispersion agents on the results of the analysis of the particle size distribution
Magdić, Ivan, Svržnjak, Domagoj, Sraka, Mario, Filipović, Vilim and Rubinić, Vedran (2018). Influence of dispersion agents on the results of the analysis of the particle size distribution. 53rd Croatian and 13th International Symposium on Agriculture, Vodice, Croatia, 18–23 February 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Simulations of water flow and nitrate transport in field lysimeters installed on gley soils
Filipović, Vilim, Petošić, Dragutin, Maloić, Mario, Mustać, Ivan, Šimunić, Ivan, Filipović, Lana, Maurović, Nada, Igrc, Marina Diana and Kranjčec, Filip (2018). Simulations of water flow and nitrate transport in field lysimeters installed on gley soils. 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for All, Osijek, Croatia, May 2018.
2017
Journal Article
Quality of surface water in the agricultural district Lonja field (Croatia)
Simunic, Ivan, Orlovic-Leko, Palma, Senta Maric, Ankica, Cigleneki, Irena, Minkina, Tatiana and Filipovic, Vilim (2017). Quality of surface water in the agricultural district Lonja field (Croatia). The Journal "Agriculture and Forestry", 63 (3), 5-14. doi: 10.17707/agricultforest.63.3.01
2017
Journal Article
Quantifying subsurface lateral flow along sloping horizon boundaries in soil profiles of a hummocky ground moraine
Filipović, Vilim, Gerke, Horst H., Filipović, Lana and Sommer, Michael (2017). Quantifying subsurface lateral flow along sloping horizon boundaries in soil profiles of a hummocky ground moraine. Vadose Zone Journal, 17 (1) 170106, 1-12. doi: 10.2136/vzj2017.05.0106
2017
Conference Publication
Modeling the effect of tillage and urban waste compost addition on water flow and contaminant (Isoproturon Cu Cd) transport in agricultural field using HYDRUS-2D
Filipović, Vilim, Coquet, Yves, Pot, Valerie, Cambier, Philippe, Filipović, Lana, Houot, Stabine and Benoit, Pierre (2017). Modeling the effect of tillage and urban waste compost addition on water flow and contaminant (Isoproturon Cu Cd) transport in agricultural field using HYDRUS-2D. HYDRUS Software Applications to Subsurface Flow and Contaminant Transport Problems, Prague, Czech Republic, 30-31 March 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Water repellency effect on soil hydraulic properties under variable climate conditions
Filipović, Vilim, Krevh, Vedran, Schwen, Andreas and Filipović, Lana (2017). Water repellency effect on soil hydraulic properties under variable climate conditions. 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for All, Osijek, Croatia, January 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Simulating subsurface lateral flow in eroded soils with contrasting horizon properties using HYDRUS-2D
Filipović, Vilim, Gerke, Horst H., Filipović, Lana and Sommer, Michael (2017). Simulating subsurface lateral flow in eroded soils with contrasting horizon properties using HYDRUS-2D. HYDRUS Software Applications to Subsurface Flow and Contaminant Transport Problems, Prague, Czech Republic, 30-31 March 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Two-region mass transfer to account for 2D profile scale heterogeneity in a 1D effective plot scale flow model
Filipović, Vilim and Coquet, Yves (2017). Two-region mass transfer to account for 2D profile scale heterogeneity in a 1D effective plot scale flow model. EGU General Assembly 2017, Vienna, Austria, 23-28 April 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Possibility of application of the ash from biomass on acid and nutrient-deficient agricultural soils
Ondrašek, Gabrijel, Zovko, Monika, Kranjčec, Filip, Bubalo Kovačić, Marina, Romić, Davor, Savić, Radovan, Filipović, Lana and Filipović, Vilim (2017). Possibility of application of the ash from biomass on acid and nutrient-deficient agricultural soils. 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for All, Osijek, Croatia, 9–10 March 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Soil water flow and nitrate transport modeling using lysimeter data
Filipović, Vilim, Petošić, Dragutin, Maloić, Mario, Mustać, Ivan, Šimunić, Ivan, Filipović, Lana, Maurović, Nada, Igrc, Marina and Kranjčec, Filip (2017). Soil water flow and nitrate transport modeling using lysimeter data. 7th International Scientific and Professional Conference Water for All, Osijek, Croatia, 9-10 March 2017. Osijek, Croatia: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek.
2016
Journal Article
Modeling copper and cadmium mobility in an albeluvisol amended with urban waste composts
Filipović, Vilim, Cambier, Philippe, Filipović, Lana, Coquet, Yves, Pot, Valérie, Bodineau, Guillaume, Jaulin, Anne, Mercier, Vincent, Houot, Sabine and Benoit, Pierre (2016). Modeling copper and cadmium mobility in an albeluvisol amended with urban waste composts. Vadose Zone Journal, 15 (12), 1-15. doi: 10.2136/vzj2016.07.0056
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Vilim Filipović is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Estimation of soil hydraulic properties and related predictive modelling challenges
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell, Dr Tim McLaren
-
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
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Vilim Filipović's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: