Interannual control of plankton communities by deep winter mixing and prey/predator interactions in the NW Mediterranean: Results from a 30-year 3D modeling study.

Highlights: [•] Interannual variability of plankton dynamics is examined in a deep convection area. [•] Mixing-induced dilution and its impact on prey–predator interactions are examined. [•] Winter minimum and spring maximum of primary production compensate on annual mean. [•] Low zooplankton grazing in winter favors phytoplankton on annual mean. [•] Winter mixing-induced nutrient supply is a bottom-up control for mesozooplankton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]