Population ecology is a field within biology that examines the dynamics of populations and their interactions with the environment. It aims to understand the factors that shape the size, density, distribution, and composition of populations over time. By analyzing population data, scientists can study various parameters, including birth rates, death rates, migration patterns, and the effects of competition and predation. Population ecology also explores how external factors, such as climate change, habitat degradation, and resource availability, impact populations. This knowledge is crucial for conservation efforts, managing wildlife populations, and understanding the ecological processes that affect entire ecosystems.