## 5 Conclusions  
The paper describes the dynamics of the highland Salar de Aguas Calientes Sur by means of the backscattered power at C- and L-band derived remotely from Sentinel-1 and ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 orbiting sensors. The main aim was to determine the seasonality in the SAR response over the salar, through a four-year multitemporal analysis (2014-2018) in order to qualitatively estimate the salar dynamics and compare the results with weather conditions, in the perspective of data integration.  
The analysis of the \(\sigma^{0}\) time series showed that the SAR signal can detect seasonality, with different sensitivities for each pan crust type. Further studies should focus on modeling the backscattering coefficient using two-layer scattering models and dielectric properties measurements retrieved over the salar.  
SAR data can be used to detect the dynamics in ponds and salt pan crust, with an accuracy compatible with the temporal resolution of Sentinel-1 and ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 at 4000 m.a.s.l.  
The dynamics of the salar during the four years are the result of the development of temporal superficial saline crust affected by wind, snow and water activity episodes. The meteorological information partially shows a relation between rain, snow events and decreases in the backscattered power. It is necessary to continue investigating the physical causes of the observed phenomenon. The lack of a permanent ground weather station inside the basin could lead to errors in the accuracy of seasonality event detection, especially for wind and frozen events. For this reason, future studies should be considered at a similar basin with ground weather station acquisitions to increase data consistency.  
Unlike other salars studied worldwide, the roughness of the salt pan in Salar de Aguas Calientes Sur is conditioned by two winter episodes through a year with precipitations events that can dilute the salt crust, thus driving salar-wide dynamics.  
Nevertheless, the presence of constant winds and high geographic altitude could contribute to the fast evaporation and development of salts.  
The relevance of this work lies in its potential as a low-cost tool to explore different evaporitic environments for research purposes, monitoring of water contributions to the system, mining exploration projects, among others. It can also help to a better understanding of environmental changes in arid regions and global climate change.  
[PERSON] and [PERSON] collected the data. [PERSON] processed the data, performed the analysis and wrote the paper. [PERSON] supervised the work, helped to structure the document and contributed to the analysis and interpretation of results. [PERSON] added knowledge about the study area and technical support in the field. [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON] and [PERSON] thoroughly reviewed the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research received no external funding.  
The authors thank the professionals at Magister en Teledetecion, Universidad Mayor for the administrative and technical support. Our sincerest thanks to Centro de Informacion de Recursos Naturales for its support to the field campaign. Our thanks are also extended to [PERSON] (Sernageomin), who helped with geochemical analysis from the Salar de Aguas Calientes Sur.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.