While the region gets relatively low amounts of precipitation (less than 200 mm/year), wildlife is supported by the river estuaries and the sea itself.

This climate is characterized by high variation in temperature, both daily and seasonally; with low precipitation.

Average temperature in January is −4.5 °C (23.9 °F), and in July is 25.7 °C (78.3 °F)[5] Both dry steppe and coastal wetland floral communities are supported in this ecoregion.

The vegetation on the southeast coast in Turkmenistan is relatively sparse, but notable for hosting specialized shrub and semi-shrub halophytes ('salt-loving plants').

The Caspian coast is an internationally significant nesting and migratory area for gulls, terns, and other waterfowl in the Asia-Europe migration paths.