From the options you have:
New: A completely new and independent scene that won't have
any objects. An empty new scene.
Copy Settings: An empty new scene that will use some of the
settings used from the current scene.
Linked copy: A copy of your current scene that has links to all
objects and settings. If you have to create animations with the
same objects but using unique types of motion, you can use it.
Full copy: A copy of your current scene with all models and
settings but no links with the original objects.
Besides working as a way to organize large projects in Blender, you can
also use scenes to render projects in any specific order. If you use the
Video Sequencer Editor, it will be possible to instance a full scene for
animation editing.
In animation projects, it is common to have multiple takes for the same
motion. You can use different scenes to work with shots featuring unique
effects and play them in a row at the Video Sequence Editor.
The Video Sequence Editor works like a non-linear video editor inside
Blender, and it is possible to insert full scenes in a timeline for video
composition. For instance, you can have an introductory scene that has
a title animation. Then a second scene with all main elements of a
project.
8.4 Rendering animation