Visual Resources Glossary

Select a letter from the list below to view glossary terms and acronyms/abbreviations. The agency abbreviation following the definition indicates the definition source.

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W

Immediate Foreground: The detailed feature landscape found within the first few hundred feet of the observer, generally, from the observer to 300 feet away. (USFS)
Impact: The effect, influence, alteration, or imprint caused by an action. See effect. (BLM, FHWA, NPS)
Inconsistent Elements: In the NPS Visual Resource Inventory, the presence and relative prominence of elements that are not consistent with the identified landscape character. Inconsistent Elements is one of three components used to evaluate the Landscape Character Integrity factor in the Scenic Quality Evaluation. (NPS)
Indirect impact: Impact that occurs away from the place of origin, either in space and/or in time; an effect that is related to, but removed from, a proposed action by an intermediate step or process. (BLM, FHWA, NPS)
Individual Scenic Quality Rating Form: In the NPS Visual Resource Inventory, the form on which data collected during the Scenic Quality Evaluation is recorded. Evaluations are recorded individually and the evaluation is followed by a group discussion to reach a consensus. (NPS)
Industrial (landscape character type): Landscapes dominated by industrial facilities. Industrial areas are typically integrated into an urban development pattern or found on the edge of town and city centers. They are considered the dominant feature of the landscape and not an isolated development. (NPS)
Intact: Untouched or unaltered, especially by anything that could harm or diminish character. (BLM)
Interdisciplinary team: A group of individuals with different training, representing the physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, and environmental design arts, assembled to solve a problem or perform a task. (BLM)
Interim reclamation: Surface reclamation conducted during the construction, development, and production phases of land use authorizations (e.g., oil and gas production, solid mineral extraction, etc.) within the limits established in the authorizing permit. When land on a permitted land use site has been disturbed and is no longer used for production, it should undergo interim reclamation, including recontouring, topsoil replacement, and revegetation. (BLM)
Interpretive themes: The central concept within an exhibit, heritage site, park, trail etc. meant to engage, excite, and explain related subject matter to a visitor. In the NPS VRI, Interpretive Themes is one of three components used to evaluate the Viewed Landscape Importance factor in the View Importance Rating. (NPS)
Intrinsic: Belonging to the essential nature of a thing; occurring as a natural part of something. (BLM)
Inventory observation point: One location or a series of locations from where the landscape can be viewed in order to conduct the scenic quality rating assessment of a given scenic quality rating unit for the visual resource inventory. (BLM)