Soil salinity is a fundamental barrier to soil fertility, particularly in dry climates, and is a limiting factor for agricultural output and subterranean water utilization. Soil salinity significantly restricts agricultural soils in Uzbekistan. Remote sensing and satellite images were used to evaluate soil salinity in the Mingbulak District of Uzbekistan. In October 2019, soil samples were taken from various locations and analyzed, and soil salinity indices were calculated. The region’s soil salinity was then mapped and modeled. The results revealed that SI 12 and the NDSI from Landsat 8 were superior to the others. The accuracy of the single band B2 and that of salinity indices SI1 and SI8 of Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2A were higher in the deeper layers than in the upper. NDSI was used to model the relationship between soil salinity (electrical conductivity) and the prominent salt ion \({\text{SO}}_{4}^{{2 - }}.\) The model was validated successfully, and a soil salinity map was created. According to the findings, the NDSI provided more accurate information on soil salinity than the other salinity indices, and the blue band was successful in depicting sublayers and the overall salinity of the region.

The drying of the Aral Sea has exposed vast seabed areas characterized by heterogeneous soils influenced by climatic, hydrological, and ecological factors. This research analyzed the physical, chemical, and nutrient properties of soils from ten profiles that illustrate different stages of the Aral Sea's retreat. The results revealed substantial spatial variation in soil properties, including particle-size distribution, salinity, organic matter, and nutrient content. While earlier exposure profiles generally exhibited finer textures, lower salinity (EC), and higher organic matter content, nutrient distribution (N, P, K) did not follow a consistent age-related trend. Instead, elevated nutrient levels were observed in profiles across all exposure stages, highlighting the influence of vegetation input and localized site conditions. Salinity has been identified as a significant factor impeding soil development and vegetation establishment, exhibiting strong negative correlations with organic matter and nutrient retention. Surface salinity and nutrient depletion were most severe in the top 0–5 cm layer; mulching may help improve conditions for plant establishment. These findings emphasize the need for site-specific restoration planning based on measured soil characteristics. Areas with suitable soil conditions may grow drought-resistant species, whereas regions characterized by high salinity or degradation necessitate halophytes that are adapted to low fertility and extreme environmental conditions. These insights provide critical guidance for the implementation of targeted, site-specific restoration projects focused on soil stabilization, biodiversity enhancement, and desertification mitigation in the Aral Sea region.

Agriculture is frequently hampered by soil salinity, which has a negative impact on crop growth and yield. This study aims to identify the optimal timing of satellite data acquisition to predict soil salinity levels indirectly using satellite images in cotton growth fields as a basis. Data was collected in the Mingbulak district of Uzbekistan, where soil electrical conductivity (EC) was measured in a laboratory using soil samples collected from various fields with similar management practices. In this research, we present a linear regression model that uses satellite data and the Normalized Difference Salinity Index (NDSI) to forecast soil salinity levels indirectly. The results of the linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between the soil electrical conductivity values and the NDSI values for each month, with August having the highest correlation (R2 = 0.70). The study found that the cotton growth stages and the process of soil salinity formation in the study area were the main factors affecting the correlation between electrical conductivity and NDSI. The model developed in this study has R2 value of 0.70. This suggests a moderate to strong relationship between the two variables, which is promising for the indirect assessment of soil salinity using the NDSI index. The study discovered a positive relationship between soil electrical conductivity and NDSI values, which were highest in pre-flowering and flowering stages of cotton. Our findings show that satellite-based estimation and modeling with NDSI can be used to indirectly assess cotton field soil salinity, especially during the pre-flowering and flowering stages. This study contributes to the development of optimal satellite data acquisition timing, which can improve soil salinity predictions and agricultural productivity.

This study has examined Uzbekistan’s environmental assessment framework, focusing on the challenges impeding Strategic Environmental Assessment implementation, as well as how international practices and pilot initiatives can guide the establishment of a robust and sus-tainable domestic SEA system. Through the analysis of legal documents, reports and pilot action outputs, the study has identified deficiencies in decision making and inconsistent mainstreaming of ecological matters into strategic planning. Thus, the major challenges include limited SEA awareness, insufficient baseline data, and weak legal and regulatory setting. Pilot projects, such as the Charvak Free Tourist Zone SEA, had revealed tangible concerns, including difficulties in engaging local stakeholders, data gaps, and unclear inter-agency roles. While these do represent significant obstacles, they also offer valuable lessons learnt for forging a comprehensive SEA scheme. Although the absence of a strong legal basis remains a critical limitation, there exist opportunities to enhance coordination, oversight, and stakeholder inclusivity. Uzbekistan can build on international SEA trends associated with public engagement and climate risk evaluation, while also learning from regional and cross-border actions. Collaborations across Central Asia, particularly in managing shared water and biodiversity resources, render additional opportunities for harmonizing environmental governance. The key priorities include the adoption of SEA legislation, capacity building through training and awareness programs, and the establishment of national networking and information exchange mechanisms. These steps are vital for fostering sustaina-ble development, preserving natural resources, and building public trust in ecological governance. The study findings furnish actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners in Uzbekistan and other nations facing similar environmental assessment challenges.