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C4.1.4—Capture-mark-release-recapture

Capture-mark-release-recapture explains how ecological evidence links organisms, resources and interactions to population size, distribution or community structure in a habitat.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
C4.1.4
Level
SL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing1%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2025
Most common paperPaper1A
Typical marks1–3

Common command terms

  • Describe
  • Outline
  • Explain
  • Identify

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Confusing a population with a community or with all organisms in an ecosystem.

Recent exam appearances

May 2025Paper1B ["SL"] · TZ33(a)[ 3 ]C4.1.4—Capture-mark-release-recapture
May 2025Paper1A ["SL"] · TZ126[ 1 ]C4.1.4—Capture-mark-release-recapture
Practice this objective

Coverage 2025–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Capture-mark-release-recapture must be linked to the correct ecological unit, method or species interaction.
  • The evidence for capture-mark-release-recapture depends on measurable abundance, distribution, survival or resource patterns.
  • Capture-mark-release-recapture is clearest when cause, ecological process and population outcome are kept distinct.
  • Field or graph evidence for capture-mark-release-recapture needs biological interpretation, not values alone.
ConceptIB Biology SL