Fraser River Estuary (11056)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: Fraser River Estuary
Central coordinates: Latitude: 49.1500, Longitude: -123.1200
System: marine, terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 811.16135
Protected area coverage (%): 38.34
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Fraser River Estuary is a large complex of interconnected marine, estuarine, freshwater and agricultural habitats in southwestern British Columbia near the city of Vancouver. It includes Boundary Bay, a predominantly marine ecosystem, the estuarine waters of Sturgeon Bank, between the north and south arms of the Fraser River, and Roberts Bank, south of the south arm of the Fraser River. Maritime habitats in the KBA include sand and mud flats, eelgrass, salt marshes, estuarine marshes with sedge, cattails and bulrush and deeper tidal waters. Agricultural habitats within the KBA include the fertile, deltaic farmlands of Richmond, Delta, and south Surrey, which provide important habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and birds of prey. Patches of forest, including mature coastal Douglas-fir, provide important nesting and roosting habitat for Great Blue Herons and raptors, including Bald Eagles. The network of rivers (Fraser, Serpentine, Nicomekl and Little Campbell) and associated wetlands within the site provided historical as well as current and potential future habitat for waterbirds. Burns Bog, lying in the heart of the delta, is a sphagnum moss wetland surrounded by shore pine and alder forest.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Fraser River Estuary was initially identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Recent analysis shows that this site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of global significance for 9 aggregating bird species (American Wigeon, Brant, Dunlin, Glaucous-winged Gull, Surf Scoter, Trumpeter Swan, Western Grebe, Western Sandpiper, and White-winged Scoter). In addition to global significant bird species, this site also supports nationally significant populations of two canadian threatened bird species (Barn Owl and Black Swift).
Manageability of the site: Fraser River Estuary intersects or contains 18 protected areas consisting of South Arm Marshes Wildlife Management Area, Sturgeon Bank Wildlife Management Area, Roberts Bank Wildlife Management Area, Peace Arch Park, Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area,
Delineation rationale: The Fraser River Estuary is a large complex of interconnected marine, estuarine, freshwater and agricultural habitats in southwestern British Columbia near the city of Vancouver. It includes Boundary Bay, a predominantly marine ecosystem, the estuarine waters of Sturgeon Bank, between the north and south arms of the Fraser River, and Roberts Bank, south of the south arm of the Fraser River. The network of rivers (Fraser, Serpentine, Nicomekl and Little Campbell) and associated wetlands within the site provided historical as well as current and potential future habitat for waterbirds. Burns Bog, lying in the heart of the delta, is a sphagnum moss wetland surrounded by shore pine and alder forest.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 14 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 7 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 7 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 14 | |
| Forest | 7 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Ongoing | ||
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |