Rapid recovery of the intertidal seagrass Zostera japonica following intense Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) harvesting activity in Korea

► Seagrass, Zostera japonica, shoots were removed following intense clamming activity. ► The Z. japonica bed in the disturbed area recovered rapidly within 1 year. ► Rapid initial recovery occurred through vegetative reproduction from belowground tissues. ► Reproductive efforts of Z. japonica increased in response to the clamming activity. ► Belowground biomass increased for survival under the unstable sediment conditions.