Spatial statistics is a branch of statistics that focuses on analyzing data that has a geographical or spatial component. It helps researchers understand patterns and relationships in data that are influenced by location. For example, it can be used to study the distribution of disease outbreaks or the location of natural resources in a region, providing insights that are crucial for planning and decision-making. By using various techniques, such as geostatistics and spatial regression, spatial statistics allows scientists and policymakers to make sense of complex spatial data. This field is essential in areas like urban planning, environmental science, and epidemiology, where understanding the spatial aspect of data can lead to better outcomes and strategies.