Abstract: Ponds are essential elements of both natural landscapes and urban environments, serving as green infrastructures and playing a vital role in contemporary water conservation planning. They provide a wide range of ecosystem services that contribute to the overall health and sustainability of the environment. These services include flood regulation, nutrient retention, mitigation of the urban heat island effect, as well as supporting fish production and aquaculture. Evaluating the significance of ponds by examining their characteristics, determining their priority level for governance and protection, and proposing utilization strategies based on their importance levels are crucial steps in understanding and optimizing their ecological service functions. These efforts form the foundation for effective governance and protection of ponds and ensure their continued contribution to the land ecosystem’s service function and overall effectiveness. By analyzing the land use status of Liaocheng City, an assessment is conducted to understand the characteristics and spatial distribution of pits and ponds. Subsequently, an evaluation index system is developed to determine the importance of these pits and ponds in the region. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the significance of these water bodies and their role in the local ecosystem. It is found that the distance from the main rivers/lakes and reservoirs is conducive to the migration of Amphibian. The number and area of ponds around cultivated land are much larger than other types of land use. The number of ponds in each district and county decreases according to cultivated land, forest land, rural residential land, and urban residential land. The density of pits and ponds is 3～10/km2, and the main gathering centers are in the northeast of Dongchangfu District, the middle of Dong’e County and the northeast of Gaotang County.The density and importance of ponds show a trend of high in the north and low in the south, and high in the east and low in the west. To make the most of ponds with high importance scores, this paper recommends strategically utilizing them based on their specific morphology and spatial distribution. This may involve implementing measures such as maintaining their natural features, protecting the surrounding vegetation, and ensuring proper water management practices.On the other hand, for ponds with low importance scores, an ecological reclamation approach can be pursued in conjunction with local land comprehensive improvement plans. By implementing these strategies, Liaocheng City can effectively utilize and protect its pit and pond resources. This will contribute to the preservation of the land ecosystem’s service functions and enhance the overall ecological well-being of the region.