4. Moths in crisis : the impact of urban habitat restoration on moth diversity (1:07:37)

Date:
2025
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Summary:
Insect populations are collapsing across the developed world in what has been termed "the insect apocalypse". This is a biological catastrophe, as insects are critical components of functioning ecosystems, providing essential services such as providing food for predators such as birds and bats, and pollination. Moths are particularly important. They form the greatest biomass of any herbivore group and may be as important in pollination as bees. We compared the status of moth populations across a series of rural and urban sites, including traditionally landscaped urban sites, urban sites that have been restored with native plants, non-agricultural rural sites, and fully restored rural sites. We found that moth populations are strongly depleted in urban habitats. Restoration of urban sites with native vegetation provides a marginal increase in moth diversity, but such sites fall far short of rural sites. Significantly, we found that some moth taxonomic groups are more resilient than others to the urban habitats. Analyzing the biology of the more resilient and sensitive groups provides insight into the selective pressures that are driving down moth populations in urban habitats, and reveals possible strategies for improving moth success in urban habitats.

98. College Audition Preparation – Twenty-Four Italian Songs and Arias (1:04:36)

Date:
2019
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Summary:
Are you ready to audition? Voice faculty from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music’s College Audition Preparation program, both past and present, provide guidance on what to anticipate when preparing for a college audition. While using “Twenty-Four Italian Songs and Arias” as a platform, we discuss topics including audition attire, music preparation, repertoire choices, translations, subtext, and vocal health, and then provide an explanation and examples of a traditional audition experience. While these videos are set for the prospective undergraduate vocal performer, their message is useful across a wide range of performance audition areas.