Climate change can cause fundamental changes in forest ecosystem dynamics. However, results of numerous studies examining the impact of climate change on forests vary greatly, depending on the factors considered and the assumptions made. For example, studies that incorporate higher temperatures, enhanced CO2 concentrations and increased precipitation tend to project increased forest productivity. If increased disturbances (fires, insect outbreaks) and the ecosystem instability induced by species migrations are included in the study, negative impacts are usually suggested.

In addition to the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on forests, other factors, such as land use changes, will affect the ability of both forests and the forest industry to adapt. To assess overall vulnerability, all these factors need to be considered, as should the capacity to implement adaptation options. Due to uncertainties in climate models and our incomplete understanding of ecosystem processes, it is unlikely that precise predictions of climate change impacts on forestry are attainable. This does not constrain our ability to adapt, but instead emphasizes the need to maintain or increase forest resiliency. Climate change should be incorporated into long-term forest planning, so that potential mismatches between species and future climatic and disturbance regimes are minimized. These measures will assist in reducing the vulnerability of forests to climate change.