The Central Asian southern desert ecoregion (WWF ID: PA1312) is an arid but ecologically active region between the east coast of the Caspian Sea and steppes at the base of the mountains of central Asia.

As with sandy deserts in general, the region is notable for high numbers of endemic species of reptiles and insects.

[1][2] The ecoregion covers the arid territory from the Caspian Sea on the west, almost to the Pamir-Alay Mountains to the east.

Thin sandy and loamy soils support many species of sagebrush and salt-tolerate saltworts (Salsola).

Saline solonchak soils support salt-tolerant succulent semi-shrubs such as Halostachys, Halocnemum strobilaceum and Seepweeds (Suaeda).