V

	Values-at-risk: the specific or collective set of natural resources and man-made improvements/developments that have measurable or intrinsic worth and that could or may be destroyed or otherwise altered by fire in any given area.
	Variable area plot sampling method: a method of timber cruising commonly used for industrial timber cruising in which sampling area (plot size) varies with tree diameter.
	Variable retention (dispersed, aggregate): a relatively new silvicultural system that follows nature's model by always retaining part of the forest after harvesting. Standing trees are left in a dispersed or aggregated form to meet objectives such as retaining old growth structure, habitat protection and visual quality. Variable retention retains structural features (snags, large woody debris, live trees of varying sizes and canopy levels) as habitat for a host of forest organisms. There are two types of variable retention:
	Dispersed retention - retains individual trees scattered throughout a cutblock,
	Aggregate (group) retention - retains trees in clumps or clusters.

The main objectives of variable retention are to retain the natural range of stand and forest structure and forest functions. With retention systems, forest areas to be retained are determined before deciding which areas will be cut. This system offers a range of retention levels. The system also provides for permanent retention of trees and other structures after regeneration is established. Variable retention can be implemented with a range of harvesting systems and can be combined with traditional silvicultural systems such as shelterwood or selection.

	Vegetative lot: a quantity of vegetative material or vegetative propagules having the same species, source and year of collection.
	Vegetative material: plant parts or tissues used to produce vegetative propagules through asexual means.
	Vegetative propagules: plants produced through asexual means.
	Vehicle side-tracking: the lateral displacement of vehicles on a curve caused by the length of the vehicle manoeuvring through the turn; the wider path that the rear of a vehicle takes when negotiating a curve.
	Ventilation Index (VI): a term commonly used in air pollution meteorology. The VI is a numerical value relating to the potential of the atmosphere to disperse airborne pollutants from a stationary source (such as smoke from a prescribed fire). It is calculated by multiplying the mixing height by the average wind speed in the mixed layer.
	Very unstable terrain: terrain units classified as being in Terrain Class V in the coastal terrain stability classification, or as having a very high mass wasting hazard according to the Mass Wasting Hazard Assessment Key for interior sites. For these areas there is a high likelihood that slope failures will follow harvesting or conventional road building.
	Veteran: in growth and yield, a tree that is at least 30 years older than the age of the main stand. In multi-layered or complex-layered stands, a tree that is at least 100 years older than the oldest sample tree of the main stand.
	Viewshed: a physiographic area composed of land, water, biotic, and cultural elements which may be viewed and mapped from one or more viewpoints and which has inherent scenic qualities and/or aesthetic values as determined by those who view it.
	Visual Absorption Capability: A component of the visual landscape inventory that rates the relative capacity of a landscape to absorb visual alterations and still maintain its visual integrity.
	Visual green-up: see Green-up.
	Visual impact assessment: an evaluation of the visual impact of resource development proposals on forest landscape.
	Visual landscape analysis: The process of recommending visual quality objectives based on the visual landscape inventory, number of viewers, level of concern and in consideration of other values.
	Visual landscape inventory: the identification, classification, and recording of the location and quality of visual resources and values.
	Visual landscape management: the identification, assessment, design, and manipulation of the visual features or values of a landscape, and the consideration of these values in the integrated management of provincial forest and range lands.
	Visual landscape unit: A landform or portion of a landform visible from one or more viewpoints identifying relatively homogeneous visual landscape features.
	Visual quality: the character, condition, and quality of a scenic landscape or other visual resource and how it is perceived, preferred, or otherwise valued by the public.
	Visual Quality Objective (VQO): A resource management objective established by the district manager or contained in a higher level plan that reflects the desired level of visual quality based on the physical characteristics and social concern for the area. Five categories of VQO are commonly used: preservation; retention; partial retention; modification; and, maximum modification.
	Visual sensitivity: a component of the visual landscape inventory that estimates the sensitivity of the landscape based on the visual prominence or importance of features, conditions that affect visual perception, and social factors that contribute to viewer perceptions.
	Visually sensitive areas: viewsheds that are visible from communities, public use areas, and travel corridors, including roadways and waterways, and any other viewpoint so identified through referral or planning processes.
	Volume table: a table showing the estimated average tree or stand volume based on given tree measurements, usually diameter and height.
	Vulnerable species: see Sensitive/vulnerable species.