Lower Volga River, Nikolskoye, Russia Photograph by A. Kliouchnik   Western Asia: Along the coast of the Caspian Sea in Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran Deserts and Xeric Shrublands   103,200 square miles (267,300 square kilometers) -- about the size of Colorado Critical/Endangered

· Salt Lands
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Salt Lands

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest salt lake, but millions of years ago it was even larger. Today, if you travel north from the Caspian Sea, you will walk across land that was once underwater but is now known as the Caspian Lowland Desert. Some of the region still lies below sea level and is occasionally flooded by the Caspian Sea. There are some interesting salt domes and other formations here, as well as temporary salt lakes and salt marshes.

Special Features

Short grasses and dwarf shrubs dominate this lowland desert. There are no forests except along three rivers that cross the region: the Volga, the Ural, and the Emba. The climate is very dry, with hot summers and cold winters with little snow accumulation. The region is geologically very young, and for this reason doesn't have a tremendous diversity of plant and animal species.

	Caracals, also known as desert lynxes, are capable of jumping ten feet in the air to knock down passing birds!

Wild Side

Jerboas and gerbils are among the smallest mammals that have what it takes to endure the dry climate of this ecoregion. Four species of wild cats prowl the terrain: sand cats, Pallas cats, caracals, and wildcats. One of the last remaining world populations of Saiga antelope lives here, too. And temporary lakes and marshes caused by seasonal flooding attract a variety of migratory birds, including lesser white-fronted geese and red-breasted geese. Other birds in the region include desmoiselle cranes, great bustards, steppe eagles, and imperial eagles.

Cause for Concern

Vast areas of this ecoregion remain in an almost pristine state. However, oil and gas extraction are major economic activities, and many new pipelines are under construction or in the planning stages. At least half of the ecoregion has been heavily grazed by sheep, and other parts have been developed by the salt industry. Other threats include irrigation, introduction of exotic species, and poaching of wildlife such as saigas, wildcats, and great bustards.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.