The petroglyphs of Central Asia represent a distinctive form of symbolic and visual heritage that is gaining relevance in scholarly debates on cultural tourism, regional identity, and sustainable development. Although their archaeological importance has long been recognized, their integration into contemporary tourism planning remains conceptually fragmented and underexplored. This study provides a systematic and meta-analytic synthesis of scientific literature concerning petroglyphs in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Through bibliometric analysis, it identifies dominant research themes, leading institutions, and international collaboration networks. The results confirm increasing interest in the educational, symbolic, and experiential tourism dimensions of petroglyphs. However, the review also highlights thematic and geographical imbalances, particularly the underrepresentation of certain regions and a scarcity of robust empirical studies. The meta-analytic component shows a moderate positive effect of petroglyph-based heritage on cultural tourism development. Kazakhstan emerges as the leading academic node in this domain. The study does not attempt to establish causality but seeks to clarify how petroglyphs have been conceptualized in scientific discourse over the past two decades. Bibliometric mapping shows strong correlations between publication volume and heritage-centered national strategies. Research also indicates that digital tools, such as 3D modeling and GIS, are increasingly employed to preserve and interpret petroglyph sites. Despite these innovations, community-based approaches remain limited, signaling the need for greater local engagement. By linking rock art research with tourism studies, digital humanities, and heritage policy, this article outlines potential directions for more inclusive, interdisciplinary, and empirically grounded future research. Ultimately, the findings support the notion that petroglyphs are not only remnants of the past, but dynamic resources for interpreting identity, enhancing tourism sustainability, and fostering cultural continuity within the evolving framework of regional development in Central Asia. These insights may guide policymakers, researchers, and cultural institutions in shaping integrative strategies. Further efforts should aim to connect heritage preservation with inclusive tourism, education, and long-term regional resilience. Strengthening regional cooperation and cross-border heritage initiatives may also amplify the role of petroglyphs in sustainable cultural development.

Soil salinization is a major factor limiting crop productivity in irrigated agricultural systems under arid climatic conditions. This study aims to develop an early prediction method for maize yield grown on saline soils in the Shaulder irrigated area located in the middle reaches of the Syr Darya River using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. Field investigations were conducted during three phenological stages of maize development (spring, summer, and autumn) during the 2021 growing season. Soil salinity (electrical conductivity) was measured at 245 observation points in the 0–20, 20–50, and 50–100 cm soil layers, while maize biomass and yield were determined through field-based measurements. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate relationships between spectral indices and field observations. Among the tested indices, NDVI, GNDVI, OSAVI, and SI7 showed the strongest relationships with soil salinity (R² = 0.76–0.77), while NDVI demonstrated a strong correlation with maize biomass (R² = 0.71–0.74). Time-series analysis of NDVI indicated that soil salinity delays maize development and shifts the timing of peak greenness. On non-saline soils, maximum NDVI occurred on 28 July, whereas on moderately and highly saline soils peak values were observed in early September. Based on peak NDVI values and field-measured yield data, a yield prediction algorithm was developed that enables maize yield forecasting approximately 2–2.5 months before harvest. Estimated yields exceeded 14.2 t/ha on non-saline soils, ranged from 6.8–14.2 t/ha on slightly saline soils, 3.2–6.8 t/ha on moderately saline soils, and 0–3.1 t/ha on highly saline soils. The proposed approach can support improved crop management and irrigation planning in saline agricultural landscapes.