Concept of Core Database
nRUSLE2 has been calibrated to experimental erosion data using assumed data values for such things as cover-mass, residue at harvest, decomposition coefficient, root biomass, burial ratios, etc.
nThe data used in this calibration are core calibration values
-Data used in RUSLE2 applications must be consistent with these values
nCore databases were set up for vegetation, residue, and operations
-NRCS data manager maintains these databases
nWorking databases developed from the core databases
Concept critically important.
Must follow the rules of using core databases to get good results from RUSLE2.
Data for many variables are linked.
RUSLE2 has been calibrated to give good soil loss values based on research data assuming a certain set of input values.
The input values used in application of RUSLE2 must be consistent with the calibration values.
Core values have been set up to be consistent with the calibration values.
A change away from the core values actually degrades the performance of RUSLE2 rather than improves it.
RUSLE2 DEFINITIONS, RULES, PROCEDURES, and CORE DATA MUST BE FOLLOWED FOR GOOD RESULTS.
Can’t independently change one set of data without recalibrating.
Must let RUSLE2 factors and subfactors represent what they were intended to represent.
For example, the K factor values are not to be modified to represent the effect of organic farming.  The cover-management subfactors represent the effects of organic farming.