In the COP29 era, food security is crucial. The urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River (UAMRYR) in China must ensure both food and ecological security. Analyzing the transformation of agricultural land use patterns and their ecological impacts over space and time is essential for improving regional ecological protection and promoting high-quality development. This study starts from the perspective of cropland conversion and is based on data from 31 cities in China's city cluster in the UAMRYR from 2002 to 2022. It analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution of land use structure and cropland conversion, and explores the ecological effects of cropland conversion using a panel fixed model. The results of the study show that: (1) From 2002 to 2022, the spatial distribution pattern of land use in the UAMRYR remained consistent overall, with arable land and forest land dominating, and a significant increase in the area of impervious surfaces. (2) Relative to 2002, the area of arable land transferred out accounted for 11.997% of the total arable land and the area of arable land transferred in accounted for 12.755% of the total arable land. Overall, there is a trend of expansion in arable land. (3) The overall level of urban eco-resilience shows a steady increasing trend, with Jiangxi Province having the best urban eco-resilience, followed by Hunan Province and Hubei Province. (4) The inflow and net increase of cultivated land area play a positive role in promoting urban eco-resilience, while the outflow and conversion to impervious surfaces suppress the ecosystem's resilience against risks. This study conducts a sustained investigation into the ecological effects of cropland conversion across multiple cities, providing empirical evidence to enhance environmental quality and optimize the rational allocation of land resources.