Restaurants - All animals that are found in the estuary use it as a source of food. This results in a very complex food web. Estuarine wetlands are comprised of soils, mosses and grasses that can absorb large amounts of water, and then release it slowly back into the environment. This can reduce the occurrence of floods and drought, and can protect the homes of many animals, even humans, from drastic water level changes.
Estuary water has many sources, and is often contaminated by pollutants.
Estuary plants will take up pollutants when taking up water and these plants can break down chemicals or absorb the chemicals from the water. Early settlers recognized the potential of the fertile soils along the Fraser for growing food. Busy harbours and towns grew nearby because of easy access to inland and marine transportation routes. This intensely used river is home to five deep-sea port facilities, a ferry terminal, several fishing boat basins and numerous marinas and floating homes. Over 200 companies, including several large wood and fish processing facilities operate on or near the Fraser.