Coral distribution is not limited to tropical and subtropical areas. Corals are distributed also in temperate areas, although they do not normally from coral reefs there. In regions affected by poleward warm currents such as Korea and Japan, corals are distributed at higher latitudes than in other regions. Remarkable declines in coral diversity have been observed along a latitudinal gradient around Korean waters.
Coral distribution is not limited to tropical and subtropical areas. Corals are distributed also in temperate areas, although they do not normally from coral reefs there. In regions affected by poleward warm currents such as Korea and Japan, corals are distributed at higher latitudes than in other regions. Remarkable declines in coral diversity have been observed along a latitudinal gradient around Korean waters. Alveopora japonica have been recruited massively on Northern coasts on Jeju Island, it have been competing with kelps and sea weed composing the new bio-region around the hard bottom. As the consequences, coral migration might result in ‘Phase Shift’ from algal-dominant to coral-dominant community. This alternation will subsequently modify the associated marine organisms, such as fish and macro invertebrate composition from temperate to tropical species