The study investigates the climatic niche shift of Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) during its invasion in western North America and Europe. Using comprehensive occurrence data from both regions, the researchers analyzed the climatic niche spaces of the species. The results show a significant shift in the observed climatic niche between the native and non-native ranges, indicating that the species has occupied climatically distinct niche spaces following its introduction to new areas. The models, while failing to predict the current invaded distribution, correctly predicted areas of introduction. This finding highlights the limitations of using climate matching approaches alone to predict the full extent of invasions, as they may not account for the potential for niche differentiation and evolution in the new range. The study provides empirical evidence for the importance of considering both ecological and evolutionary factors in understanding biological invasions.The study investigates the climatic niche shift of Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) during its invasion in western North America and Europe. Using comprehensive occurrence data from both regions, the researchers analyzed the climatic niche spaces of the species. The results show a significant shift in the observed climatic niche between the native and non-native ranges, indicating that the species has occupied climatically distinct niche spaces following its introduction to new areas. The models, while failing to predict the current invaded distribution, correctly predicted areas of introduction. This finding highlights the limitations of using climate matching approaches alone to predict the full extent of invasions, as they may not account for the potential for niche differentiation and evolution in the new range. The study provides empirical evidence for the importance of considering both ecological and evolutionary factors in understanding biological invasions.