Ecosystem research presents multiple perspectives on ecosystem change about the intentionality of change and endogenous or exogenous drivers. In this paper, we conduct a thematic literature review and develop a typology framework to combine five approaches for studying ecosystem change that emerged through the review. We argue that these five approaches are complementary instead of opposing, as each provides a partial understanding and, if combined, can offer a richer and more holistic understanding of ecosystem change. To guide future research, we suggest that ecosystem change can be better understood by triangulating these pluralistic and paradoxical insights.
