Paleoecology is the study of ancient ecosystems and the interactions between organisms and their environments over geological time. By examining fossil records, sediment samples, and other geological evidence, paleoecologists can reconstruct past climates, habitats, and the distribution of species. This field helps scientists understand how ecosystems have changed and evolved. Researchers in paleoecology often focus on specific periods, such as the Pleistocene or Holocene, to analyze how factors like climate change and natural disasters have influenced biodiversity. The insights gained from paleoecology can inform current conservation efforts and help predict future ecological changes in response to ongoing environmental shifts.