This document, published in the International Forestry Review Vol. 14, presents the results of an electronic survey distributed worldwide among foresters in 2009. Its aim is to gauge the extent to which climate change impacts and adaptation measures are a priority in forest management, an issue currently largely unexplored. The paper highlights the importance of protecting tropical forests from climate change threats. It underscores that forests are critical in mitigating climate change through their significant carbon sequestration; this consideration is often under-prioritised due to seemingly more pressing economic, social and institutional issues. The survey was disseminated in three languages (English, Spanish and French) and it received 152 responses from Africa, the Americas and the Asia and Pacific region. Results of the survey are presented under the following subheadings.

Perceptions of climate risks and impacts: respondents agreed with statements regarding the anthropogenic nature of climate change and the level of perceived risk increasing in correlation with greater forestry experience, but opinion on the validity of investment in adaptation actions at the present time was divided.
Information availability and knowledge on adaptation practice: around half of respondents were aware of domestic studies, but it was perceived overall that available information was insufficient for a good understanding of the topic.
Implemented adaptation practices: many implemented adaptation practices are done for business reasons; the application of reduced-impact logging is the most adopted practice specifically implemented for adaptation purposes.
Obstacles to adaptation: these include lack of information, insufficient financial capacity and outside factors such as agricultural encroachment and mining.
Institutional factors: knowledge of national resources and guidance was mixed.
What drives action: the main factor seems to be the knowledge of the respondents and their perception of the threat of climate change.

The paper concludes with a discussion, which suggests that successful action to implement adaptation measures may depend as much on the socio-cultural contexts of individuals as it does on the available scientific information.