Fast-growing ephemeral herbs sprout after rains, and quickly set seed before the succumbing to the summer drought.

[3] Poplar trees (Populus euphratica), reeds, and bulrushes are found in the seasonal and permanent wetlands along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

[3] The Syrian wild ass (Equus hemionus hemippus) once ranged across the ecoregion, but was hunted to extinction by the early 20th century.

Native birds include the mourning wheatear (Oenanthe lugens), and the Mesopotamian hooded crow (Corvus cornix capellanus) in Mesopotamia.

The area around Lake Tharthar, a reservoir between the Tigris and Euphrates, is a wintering ground for several threatened birds, including the Saker falcon (Falco cherrug) and Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata).