AbstractThis paper synthesizes major developments and conclusions of studies on Scleratinian coral communitystructure in last 20 years in the world, puts forward the problems exiting in the studies and analyses thecauses of unconsistence in the studies of different spatial scales and the flaws of "intermediate disturbancehypothesis";Finally, combining with need's of the development of basic theortical and applied studies, thispaper probes into the prospects of the studies on Sceratinian coral community structure.