Over the years, the habitat values associated with many areas have changed due to the highly dynamic nature of the estuary, and also due to both positive and negative anthropogenic influences. To provide an inventory that reflects the current habitat status, FREMP updated the habitat inventory in 2003.

The five FREMP habitat types were re-mapped: intertidal marsh, mudflat, sandflat, riparian grasses and shrubs, and riparian trees, while the FREMP habitat inventory was also updated using an "ecological features and functions" approach to begin to capture more information on upland structures. The ecological features and functions approach attempts to reveal and protect the underlying needs within a system (e.g., tall trees for bird nesting, deep water for ship moorage).

With support from the BC Conservation Corps (BCCC), FREMP groundtruthed the habitat inventory in 2006 and 2007.  The 2006 BCCC team field-checked 26% of all habitat polygons mapped in 2003 - focusing on the wetted side of the dyke - and the results showed a very high level of accuracy at 92%.  Polygon boundaries mapped in 2003 were found to be highly accurate and were not changed.  New data was also added including observations of birds and invasive species; where errors or changes were identified in the field, the appropriate corrections and updates to the data were made. 

The 2007 BCCC field team continued to update and remap the habitat polygons.  In addition to the remapping, the team was also tasked with promoting the dataset to municipalities bordering the Fraser River and establishing long-term monitoring stations that will use analogue photography to capture changes in vegetation over time.  In total, six municipalities were met with, six Photo Point Monitoring sites were established and 77 new polygons were created adding 4,108,679 m2 of previously unclassified habitat area within FREMP Boundaries.  The result is a new, updated 2006 FREMP Habitat Inventory dataset.

The 2007 BCCC Habitat Inventory Project Final Report is now available - please click here for the report.  The 2006 updated FREMP Habitat Inventory dataset is also available through the FREMP office, and can be viewed in the FREMP Atlas on the Community Mapping Network by clicking here.