Caspian Sea Shrinking at Alarming Rate, Threatening Ecosystems and Livelihoods

Caspian Sea Shrinking at Alarming Rate, Threatening Ecosystems and Livelihoods
……………

The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest landlocked body of water, is shrinking rapidly due to climate change, according to a report by PHYS.ORG. Once home to thriving populations of sturgeon, flamingos, and seals, the northern coast is turning into barren stretches of dry land as water retreats by more than 50 kilometers in some areas.

Scientists say the sea’s level has been dropping by about six centimeters annually since 2000, with losses of up to 30 centimeters a year since 2020. In July 2025, Russian researchers confirmed that water levels had fallen below previously recorded lows. Rising evaporation, combined with reduced river inflows, is outpacing replenishment.

Projections suggest the sea could decline by 10 to 18 meters this century, exposing up to 112,000 square kilometers of seabed. The ecological fallout could be severe: four out of ten unique ecosystems face extinction, Caspian sturgeon risk losing critical spawning grounds, and endangered seals may lose up to 81% of breeding habitat.

Human costs are mounting as ports, fishing towns, and oil facilities struggle with stranded infrastructure and costly dredging. Experts warn that without coordinated regional action, the Caspian Sea could face an environmental and geopolitical crisis.