Root crops are generally limited by disease and pets which are expected to increase activity with the predicted rise in temperature. Many traditional taro patches are also in low-lying areas vulnerable to saltwater intrusion due to sea level rise, as most traditional varieties of taro are not saltwater resistant). Several taro patches on Babeldaob are currently affected by this, especially during high tides. Salt water in taro patches can result in crop loss as high as 75-100%. In previous studies, 13 local and 6 introduced varieties were evaluated for salt tolerance in Ngimis, Ngatpang, Ollei, and Ngarchelong. The varieties Kirang, Dirrubong and Dungersuul were found to be salt tolerant (Del Rosario et al. 2015). Efforts to preserve taro varieties and to conduct research to determine which varietals are salt-tolerant are led by institutions like Palau Community College’s Cooperative Research & Extension, which maintains 68 varieties. For more detailed information about the impacts of climate change on kukau, please visit Taro Production in Palau. 

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)