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D4.3.6—Range shifts

Climate-driven range shifts occur when species move poleward, upslope, or into new habitats as temperature, water, and resources change over time.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
D4.3.6
Level
SL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing2%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper3
Typical marks1–2

Common command terms

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Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper1A ["SL"] · TZ130[ 1 ]D4.3.6—Range shifts
November 2015Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ019(e)[ 1 ]D4.3.6—Range shifts
November 2015Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ019(d)[ 2 ]D4.3.6—Range shifts
November 2015Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ019(c)[ 2 ]D4.3.6—Range shifts
May 2012Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ11(f)[ 2 ]D4.3.6—Range shifts
Practice this objective

Coverage 2012–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Warming can move suitable climate zones and food supplies northward or upslope.
  • Range shifts can change predation, competition, biodiversity, and food-web structure.
  • Species that cannot track suitable conditions may decline or disappear from parts of their range.
ConceptIB Biology SL