Abstract
This study conducts a comprehensive and systematic literature review, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, to investigate the impacts of climate change on closed lake systems in Central Asia, with a specific focus on Lakes Balkhash, Issyk-Kul, and Urmia. Based on a detailed analysis of 74 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025, this review identifies key thematic patterns and bibliometric trends in the literature. Findings reveal that most studies emphasize hydrological stress, glacier retreat, and an increasing drought frequency, while institutional adaptation and transboundary governance mechanisms remain underdeveloped and inconsistently implemented. National-level adaptation strategies vary considerably, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan showing a relatively higher engagement, though rarely supported by enforceable cross-border agreements. This review also highlights the limited participation of local research institutions and insufficient empirical validation of policy measures. The bibliometric analysis indicates that most high-impact publications originate outside the region, particularly from China and Germany. This study provides a structured synthesis of existing knowledge and identifies critical avenues for future research and policy development. It calls for more inclusive, transdisciplinary, and regionally embedded approaches to water governance in the context of accelerating climate risks.