The focus of DESERVE is on answering complex scientific questions by close interdisciplinary and international cooperation. This is considered the key to addressing the research challenges of environmental risks, water availability, and climate change.

The challenges are reflected by several interdisciplinary work packages as well as closely interlinked disciplinary work packages, all of which involve at least two partners of different nationality and fields of research. A special focus is on the promotion of interdisciplinary education of young scientists.

The following questions are addressed:

• Where are the future sinkhole areas?
• Which collapse processes and mechanics lead to sinkhole development?
• How do hydro-climatic fluctuations influence sinkhole development and seismicity?
• What is the Dead Sea water budget?
• How do past, present, and future climate change modify the Dead Sea water budget?
• How do earthquakes evolve in the Dead Sea region?
• How high is the seismic risk in the Dead Sea region?
• How do spatio-temporal soil moisture patterns trigger flash flood generation?
• How do aerosols modify clouds and precipitation?
• How do different wind systems influence the development and characteristics of the Dead Sea haze layer?

By addressing these research topics, DESERVE will establish several tools, databases, and monitoring networks:

• Sinkhole hazard map
• Toolbox of methods and techniques to detect and characterize early-stage sinkhole development
• Seismic/geodynamic observations to monitor seismicity and stress, radon exhalation in the vicinity of faults, and magneto-tellurics to monitor magnetic field variations
• GPS measurements to detect surface deformation
• Seismic risk assessment
• Hydrological measurements of rainfall and discharge
• Flash flood early warning system
• Meteorological systems to monitor air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, haze characteristics, and wind systems