Ponds, which are called Ab-bandans in mazindaran province, are valuable samples of native knowledge and technology of the people of this region for the optimum use of water. These aquatic systems are used for agricultural water storage and recharge of springs and underground waters, also from ecological points of view, provide habitats for birds and wild life, protection of bio-diversity, gene banks, creation of beautiful landscapes and several other benefits. The ponds of north of Iran are in danger of degradation due to uncontrolled development, pollution of agricultural liquid waste and simplification. The present research is for recognition of the vegetation cover of these ecosystems and also studying the factors causing their degradation in the southern border of the Caspian Sea (Mazindaran Province). The results of this research show there are 423 ponds with total areas of about 14000 hectares. Their distribution is drawn on a map with the 1/300000 scale. Due to change in plant structure of these ecosystems and dominance of increasing species such as Nympha alba, Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia and Lemna minor and invasion of foreign oppurtunist plants such as Azola and also pollution because of incoming agricultural liquid waste, it seems that the ponds are losing their ecological power and are heading towads waterlogging (destrophication). Now that. the world is encountered with water crisis it is recommended a scientific overall study of the ponds for their protection and sustainable use, before complete destruction of these cultural-natural heritage of genebanks, diversity and special beauty, takes place.
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