Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Protected Species Identification Course

This course gives you the tools and knowledge you need to recognize and tell apart the species that require special attention and conservation. You will learn to identify threatened and endangered species, understand their ecological importance and know the legislation that protects them. It is essential for environmental professionals, biology students and anyone interested in conserving biodiversity, and it applies directly to environmental impact studies, conservation projects and wildlife monitoring.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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About the program

What is the Protected Species Identification Course?

This short course teaches you to identify protected species on land and at sea and to act correctly when you find them. You will study the legal framework, from CITES and the IUCN Red List to national laws and regional catalogs of threatened species, the main protection categories and the role of biosphere reserves and marine protected areas; diagnostic features of protected terrestrial fauna, including mammals, birds of prey, steppe birds, amphibians and reptiles, together with tracks and signs and camera trapping; the identification of protected cetaceans, sea turtles, sharks and rays, vulnerable marine invertebrates and deep-water corals and gorgonians; threatened flora, orchids, lichens and bryophytes and habitats of community interest; and the ethics of observation, awareness campaigns and the reporting of wildlife crime.

What sets this course apart: it links identification skills directly with the legislation that applies to each species, so you know not only what you are looking at but what the law requires of you; it covers both terrestrial and marine species, including cetaceans and sea turtles; it relies on practical tools such as dichotomous keys, field guides, high-resolution photography and camera trapping; and it shows how to document findings and use the official channels for reporting offences against wildlife and flora.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Legal framework: CITES, the IUCN Red List, national laws, regional catalogs and protection categories.
  • Protected terrestrial fauna: dichotomous keys, birds of prey, steppe birds, amphibians and reptiles.
  • Tracks and signs, high-resolution photography and camera trapping as non-invasive recording tools.
  • Protected marine species: cetaceans, sea turtles, sharks and rays, vulnerable invertebrates and deep-water corals.
  • Conservation botany: threatened flora, orchids, lichens, bryophytes and habitats of community interest.
  • Observer ethics, awareness campaigns and official channels for reporting wildlife crime.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Protected Species Identification Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

International legal frameworks and biodiversity protection categories

  • 1.1. In-depth analysis of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
  • 1.2. The Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its classification criteria
  • 1.3. Current national legislation and regional catalogs of threatened species: levels of protection and legal consequences
  • 1.4. Technical differences between endemic, vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species
  • 1.5. The role of biosphere reserves and marine protected areas in safeguarding specific taxa under pressure
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Morphology and diagnostic features for identifying protected terrestrial fauna

  • 2.1. Dichotomous keys applied to the identification of terrestrial mammals under special protection
  • 2.2. Analysis of key anatomical features in birds of prey and steppe species for visual identification at long distance
  • 2.3. Identification of herpetofauna: distinctive features of protected amphibians and reptiles compared with common species
  • 2.4. Study of tracks and signs: identification of footprints, droppings and feeding remains of wildlife under surveillance
  • 2.5. High-resolution photography and camera trapping as non-invasive recording tools for cataloguing
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Identification and biology of protected marine species and cetaceans

  • 3.1. Diagnostic features for identifying at the surface the large whales and dolphins protected by international conventions
  • 3.2. Morphology and distinctive features of sea turtles: key differences between hawksbill, leatherback and loggerhead turtles
  • 3.3. Identification of protected elasmobranchs: sharks and rays whose capture or harassment is strictly prohibited
  • 3.4. Recognition of vulnerable marine invertebrates such as the ribbed Mediterranean limpet and the noble pen shell on the coast
  • 3.5. Biology and conservation status of deep-water corals and gorgonians subject to special protection measures
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Conservation botany: identification of threatened wild flora and critical habitats

  • 4.1. Recognition of reproductive and vegetative structures in vascular plants listed as endangered
  • 4.2. Identification of wild orchids and endemic flora of high ecological value with collection restrictions
  • 4.3. Study of protected lichens and bryophytes as bioindicators of air quality and the health of primary forests
  • 4.4. Mapping of habitats of community interest and their relationship with the presence of singular plant species
  • 4.5. Direct human threats to protected flora: the impact of illegal collection and the introduction of invasive species
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Observer ethics, environmental education and handling of environmental complaints

  • 5.1. The nature observer's code of conduct: principles of non-interference and respect for animal welfare
  • 5.2. Design of awareness strategies for tourists and local communities on the importance of protected species
  • 5.3. Administrative procedures and official channels for reporting offences against wildlife and flora
  • 5.4. The role of the nature guide as a steward of the territory and their responsibility in protecting species
  • 5.5. Managing tourist pressure at critical observation points to avoid displacing sensitive species
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Protected Species Identification Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Protected Species Identification Course

01Distinguish protected species in order to act within the law, identifying them visually and knowing the protocols to follow when they are sighted or an interaction is possible.
02Apply conservation measures in the habitats of vulnerable species, such as invasive species control, restoration of native vegetation and water quality monitoring, adapted to each habitat and species.
03Recognize signs of the presence of protected species, such as tracks, footprints, droppings, calls or sightings, and report any finding according to established protocols.
04Document findings of protected species for follow-up and protection, preparing detailed reports with georeferenced data, photos or videos and behavioral notes for authorities and scientists.
05Use identification tools to confirm a protected species, consulting visual identification guides and protected species databases and contacting experts in local wildlife.
06Communicate the importance of protecting species to the community effectively, designing awareness campaigns for different groups with clear language, compelling stories and attractive visual resources.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Protected Species Identification Course

01Field technician in conservation projectspopulation monitoring, species follow-up and habitat management.
02Environmental consultantenvironmental impact assessments, biodiversity studies and management plans for protected species.
03Environmental educatordesigning and delivering education programs on conservation and biodiversity.
04Specialist nature guideinterpreting natural heritage, leading routes and sharing information on protected species.
05Wildlife rescue center techniciancare and rehabilitation of protected animals.
06Protected natural area staffsupporting the surveillance, planning and conservation of species and habitats.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Protected Species Identification Course

It means the law recognizes that the species is threatened and subjects it to conservation measures, usually including restrictions on hunting, capture, trade and the alteration of its habitat.

The loggerhead turtle is a well-known example, along with many whales and dolphins, the leatherback and hawksbill turtles, several sharks and rays and the noble pen shell.

CITES is an international convention that regulates trade in threatened species, while the IUCN Red List assesses the extinction risk of species. The first module explains both and how they relate to national law.

Yes. It covers protected terrestrial fauna, marine species including cetaceans and sea turtles, and threatened flora such as orchids, endemic plants, lichens and bryophytes.

The course explains how to document the finding with georeferenced data and images and which official channels to use to report it, always following the principle of non-interference.

Yes. Identifying protected species accurately and documenting them correctly is a core part of impact assessments, conservation projects and wildlife monitoring.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7 with discussion forums, live sessions that are recorded and personalized feedback and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at biologists, environmental technicians and consultants who need to identify protected species in impact studies, forest rangers, rural wardens and customs staff working against illegal wildlife trade, students of biology and environmental sciences, NGO and conservation association teams, and nature lovers and wildlife photographers; a background in biology, environmental sciences or veterinary science, or experience in nature conservation or wildlife management, is helpful.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection and the ability to view multimedia material; binoculars and suitable clothing are useful for your own field practice.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $168 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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