These remarks were made by Zaur İmrani, Acting Director of the Institute of Geography under the Ministry of Science and Education, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, and Associate Professor, in an interview with AZERTAC.

According to him, fluctuations in the Caspian Sea's water level have become a major focus of attention for both scientists and environmentalists. The declining water level not only alters the coastline but may also affect ecosystems, biodiversity, fisheries, navigation, and the socio-economic activities of people living in coastal areas. Researchers are examining the causes of these changes from various perspectives, including geological, hydrological, climatic, and anthropogenic factors.

Climate change occupies a particularly important place among these factors. Rising global temperatures may lead to higher air and water temperatures across the Caspian basin, thereby increasing evaporation. Since the Caspian Sea is a closed water body, its water balance largely depends on the equilibrium between precipitation, river inflow, and evaporation. If the increase in evaporation is not compensated by incoming water, the decline in the sea's level may accelerate.

The observed rise in temperatures across the Caspian region further highlights the importance of climate research in this area. Climate models indicate that future changes in temperature and precipitation patterns may affect the Caspian Sea's water balance. Nevertheless, explaining fluctuations in the sea level solely by global warming is not considered a sufficiently well-founded scientific approach.

The expert also emphasized that another significant factor is the variation in the flow of rivers discharging into the Caspian Sea. In particular, the Volga River plays a crucial role in maintaining the sea's water balance. In addition, the Kura, Samur, and other rivers also contribute to the volume of water entering the sea. Reduced precipitation, prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and increased use of water resources within river basins may alter river discharge.

The growing use of river water for agriculture, industry, and domestic purposes is another important issue. As population and economic activities expand, demand for water increases. This may reduce the volume of water reaching the lower stretches of rivers and, consequently, the Caspian Sea. Therefore, preserving environmental flows, promoting efficient water use, and jointly managing transboundary water resources are of great importance.

The decline in the Caspian Sea's level primarily leads to changes in the coastline. As the water recedes, areas that were previously submerged become exposed, while the distance to ports and coastal infrastructure changes. The shallowing of coastal waters may create additional challenges for navigation. To ensure the continued operation of ports, it may become necessary to maintain the depth of navigation channels and adapt existing infrastructure.

From an ecological perspective, the situation is even more complex. The Caspian Sea provides habitat for numerous species, including sturgeon, the Caspian seal, and a wide variety of waterbirds. Long-term changes in water level may affect coastal wetlands, shallow-water habitats, and other ecologically important areas. Such changes may disrupt food chains and make survival more difficult for certain species.

The condition of the Caspian seal deserves particular attention. This species is endemic to the Caspian Sea and is affected by a range of factors, including climate change, pollution, changes in food availability, and human activities. Scientists are also investigating how fluctuations in the sea level may influence the seals' critical breeding and habitat areas.

The fisheries sector is likewise vulnerable to these changes. In the Caspian ecosystem, factors such as water temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, and nutrient distribution influence the distribution of aquatic life. Changes in the sea level and hydrological regime may alter the interaction among these factors. As a result, fish stocks may change, affecting the economic activities of coastal communities.

The decline in the Caspian Sea's water level may also make the effects of pollution more pronounced in certain areas. Reduced water volume can alter ecological processes in shallow and semi-enclosed zones. Therefore, continuous monitoring of water quality, pollutants, and the ecological condition of coastal areas remains of critical importance.