Detection of vegetation change using reconnaissance imagery

Summary Vegetation occurs at its highest elevations on equatorial mountains. Inspection of archival and recent high‐resolution reconnaissance imagery of tropical mountains shows, in all cases, features indicating an increase in the elevation of mountain vegetation zones and an increase in vigour in the high‐elevation vegetation. These changes are consistent with an increased plant performance from increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as well as with a warmer or more favourable climate.