<p>With the imbalance between the supply and demand of farmland ecosystem services (ESs), eco-compensation that aims at balancing the supply-demand is gradually being promoted. Still, there are few studies on structurally integrating them in eco-compensation policymaking facing positive interaction between ESs supply-demand. According to the interdependence between farmland ESs supply-demand, this study explores an approach integrating both with eco-compensation from a resource-dependence perspective for sustainable development. We proposed a theoretical framework and analytical approach to explore the dimensions and forms of resource dependence and its impact on public preferences for farmland eco-compensation, to reveal the mechanisms by which resource dependence influences farmland ESs and eco-compensation. Then, an empirical study was conducted in the black soil region of northeastern China by applying a choice experiment. The results showed four dimensions of public resource dependence on farmland ecosystems, providing new points into the relationship between resource dependence and socioeconomic characteristics, such as the negative correlation between life dependence with household size and number of children. The results revealed that resource dependence is positively associated with eco-compensation. It confirmed that resource dependence is an important bridge connecting ESs supply and demand, a driver of public support for eco-compensation, and a key link in advancing sustainable development for the supply-demand. This study contributes to fully understanding the interdependence of humans and farmland ecosystems and exploring their interaction mechanisms, providing new insights into sustainable development for both sides. The theoretical framework and analytical approach constructed can be applied in broader research contexts.</p>