Biota at or above the climatic high elevation treeline represent the only life zone of global distribution. From the north of Alaska to the south of Patagonia, similar plant life forms assemble to very similar land cover types, irrespective of taxonomic affiliation. These high-altitude ecosystems are richer in life than the global terrestrial average. The treeless alpine alone represents ca. 4 % of the globe's higher plant diversity, but contributes only 3 % to the vegetated terrestrial surface area. Causes for the high biological diversity in the world's highlands and its function will be discussed in my introductory remarks. High mountains, in some parts of the world the last wilderness areas, face numerous environmental changes, some of which were never anticipated before. The enrichment of the atmosphere with CO2 is a truly global phenomenon, other components of global change vary regionally, for example atmospheric warming and soluble nitrogen deposition. The most patchy, but also the most dramatic and disasterous component of global change in high mountains is the rapid change in the way humans utilize these upland biota. I will comment on each of these facets of global change, starting with a consideration of climatic changes - past, present and future, which will also include the treeline question. The subtle influences of elevated CO2 and enhanced N-deposition will form the second part. The third part will consider land use influences, both positive and negative ones. I will underpin my comments with photographs, thus illuminating dimensions of alpine life 'beyond science'.