“Non‐Grain Production” or “Grain‐Oriented Production”: Can Adjusting the Planting Structure Improve the Farmland Ecosystem Service Value?

ABSTRACT Adjusting planting structure, as a strategic intervention in agricultural ecosystems, is essential for enhancing ecosystem service value (ESV) and improving ecological functionality. Existing studies largely focus on the static ecological implications of planting structure transformation, overlooking dynamic spatial spillover effects and lacking a systematic understanding of cross‐regional ecological linkages. This study develops an innovative analytical framework integrating spatiotemporal diagnostics, equivalent factor‐based valuation, and both single‐ and two‐regime spatial panel models to assess the spatial effects of planting structure on farmland ESV (FESV). It reveals the dynamic coupling of ecological‐productive‐living functions, clarifies interregional response mechanisms, and offers insights into green agricultural transformation and ecosystem resilience under the Sustainable Development Goals framework. Empirical findings showed that: Planting structure of China's three major grains generally followed an “east‐high, west‐low” pattern, while FESV exhibited a spatial structure aligned with the “Heihe–Tengchong Line,” with regulating services contributing the most. Furthermore, both planting structure and FESV displayed significant spatial agglomeration. Planting structure adjustments not only enhanced local FESV but also exerted cross‐regional spillover effects, mostly negative due to interregional competition. Two‐regime spatial model revealed asymmetric yet consistently positive spillover effects in “National Key Ecological Function Area,” “China's Major Grain Producing Area,” and “National Urban Agglomerations,” especially in regions with low grain‐cropping intensity. Mechanism testing further identified two main transmission pathways: resource input optimization and ecological function stabilization. Therefore, greater attention should be paid to the ecological benefits of planting structure adjustments and their asymmetric spillover effects, to ensure the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems, to foster cross‐regional ecological resilience, and to promote synergistic economic and environmental development.