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The Maranjab Desert () is a desert region located in the northern part of Aran and Bidgol County, in Isfahan province, central Iran. It is part of the Dasht-e Kavir basin and is characterized by sand dunes, salt pans, and seasonal wetlands. The area contains historical structures such as the Maranjab Caravansarai, constructed in 1603. Despite its arid conditions, the desert supports salt-tolerant vegetation and various species of wildlife, including reptiles and birds. The region is also a site of recreational activities, though concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of tourism.
A freshwater well is located approximately 5 km east of the caravanserai. Despite the arid environment, the water is potable due to natural sand filtration, which removes salt content. The region also contains numerous qanat, traditional subterranean aqueducts designed to transport water from mountainous areas to arid zones. Over of qanat tunnels have been documented in Aran and Bidgol County. These systems are increasingly being replaced by deep wells and modern irrigation techniques, contributing to overdrafting and Soil salinity.
The terrain comprises sand dunes, salt pans, and seasonal wetlands. Sand dunes in the area can reach heights of up to 70 metres, while the salt flats exhibit polygonal crystallization patterns during dry seasons. During periods of rainfall, the salt lake fills partially, creating reflective surfaces and revealing temporary features such as the so-called "Wandering Island" ( Jazire Sargardan).
The desert supports populations of desert-dwelling birds and reptiles, including various eagle species, snakes, and lizards. A 2012–2013 herpetological survey in the neighbouring Yazd province, which shares ecological characteristics with Maranjab Desert, identified 16 lizard species across six families, including Phrynocephalus maculatus, Trapelus agilis, Agamura persica, Eremias fasciata, Mesalina watsonana, Teratoscincus bedriagai, and Desert monitor. Though not all species were recorded directly in Maranjab Desert, their presence in ecologically similar regions suggests a shared lizard fauna across the Iranian plateau.
Species under threat in the desert include Eremias kavirensis (endemic to Dasht-e Kavir), the desert monitor ( Varanus griseus), Cheesman's gerbil, scorpions, and the Maranjab's snake skink. Recreational activities, especially off-road driving, pose a risk to native flora and fauna by destroying vegetation, disturbing nesting and burrowing habitats, and fragmenting the ecosystem.
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