Covariance among North Sea ecosystem state indicators during the past50Â years - Contrasts between coastal and open waters

► Influence of nutrients and climate differs in open and coastal North Sea plankton. ► Interannual variability in phytoplankton primarily driven by climate in both areas. ► Si and climate more important than N and P to coastal plankton at this scale. ► Regime shifts were better reflected in open than coastal North Sea plankton dynamics.