Population ecology refers to how a particular species is faring in its natural environment. Taking into account age and sex composition of a community, scientists collate metrics such as birth, growth, and death rates in order to determine its overall health.
此外「『族群生態』則是指同一種珊瑚在自然界的狀態，包括年齡和性別組成等，並從它們的出生率、成長率和死亡率來判斷這族群是否健康。」