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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Kelp Forests and Seaweeds
The Diploma in Kelp Forests and Seaweeds Prepares you to understand, conserve and restore kelp forests and other large seaweed communities, highly productive habitats that have suffered major losses along many temperate coasts. Yo
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts9 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Kelp Forests and Seaweeds?
The Diploma in Kelp Forests and Seaweeds
Prepares you to understand, conserve and restore kelp forests and other large seaweed communities, highly productive habitats that have suffered major losses along many temperate coasts. You will study their ecology, the relationship between grazers, predators and seaweeds, the effects of marine heatwaves and the restoration techniques available, from urchin control to seaweed cultivation and seeding, supported by monitoring that allows results to be evaluated.
Key advantages
- A strategic habitat: Kelp, fucoid and Cystoseira forests on temperate coasts.
- Ecosystem approach: Urchins, predators and seaweeds as one connected system.
- Techniques compared: Grazer control, transplanting, cultivation and seeding.
- Climate lens: Marine heatwaves, range shifts and refugia.
- Case study: A restoration plan for a specific seaweed forest.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Know the forests: Understand the ecology of large seaweeds.
- Diagnose loss: Analyse urchin barrens and their causes.
- Restore with method: Apply cultivation, seeding and transplanting.
- Measure results: Design comparable monitoring.
- Open up opportunities: Work in conservation, consultancy and coastal management.
- Train to bring underwater forests back to the coasts that have lost them.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Ecology of Seaweed Forests
- What kelp forests are
- Laminarians and fucoids
- The brown seaweed life cycle
- Productivity and growth
- Global distribution
- Cystoseira forests in the Mediterranean
- Associated fauna
- Ecosystem services
02
Causes of Loss and Degradation
- Overgrazing by sea urchins
- Loss of predators
- Marine heatwaves
- Warming and range shifts
- Pollution and turbidity
- Coastal sedimentation
- Invasive species
- Alternative states: the urchin barren
03
Diagnosis and Mapping
- Mapping rocky seabeds
- Remote sensing of floating canopy
- Underwater surveys
- Urchin density
- Seaweed cover and biomass
- Predator status
- Oceanographic conditions
- Selecting intervention sites
04
Grazer Control
- Ecological basis for control
- Manual urchin removal
- Density thresholds
- Predator recovery
- The role of protected areas
- Urchin fishing and marketing
- Risks and unintended effects
- Monitoring control measures
05
Seaweed Cultivation and Seeding
- Sourcing reproductive material
- Growing gametophytes in the laboratory
- Producing juveniles
- Seeded substrates
- Spore seeding
- Transplanting adult plants
- Selecting tolerant genotypes
- Logistics at sea
06
Restoration in a Changing Climate
- Climate refugia
- Selecting resilient sites
- Genetic diversity and adaptation
- Seaweed farming and restoration
- Integration with aquaculture
- Scaling up projects
- Adaptive management
- International experiences
07
Monitoring and Management
- Designing the monitoring
- Cover and density indicators
- Associated fauna
- Photogrammetry and underwater video
- Data analysis
- Involving fishers
- Permits and regulations
- Budget and funding
08
Case Study: Restoration Plan for a Seaweed Forest
- Choosing the site
- Assessing its condition
- Analysing the causes
- Grazer measures
- Cultivation and seeding techniques
- Monitoring programme
- Permits and budget
- Presenting the plan
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Biologists and marine science graduates: who want to specialise in seaweeds and rocky reefs Marine protected area staff: who manage rocky coastlines Environmental consultants: who assess impacts on benthic communities Seaweed farming professionals: who want to apply their experience to restoration NGO staff: who lead coastal conservation projects
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand large seaweed ecology
- 02Analyse the causes of loss
- 03Interpret trophic interactions
- 04Apply restoration techniques
- 05Design monitoring
- 06Plan an intervention
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Seaweed forest restoration officer: Designing and delivering projects on rocky seabeds.
02Environmental consultant: Assessing benthic communities and mitigation measures.
03Protected area officer: Monitoring and managing rocky coastlines.
04Seaweed cultivation specialist: Producing material for restoration.
05NGO project coordinator: Conserving underwater forests with local stakeholders.
06Ecological monitoring officer: Coastal surveys and data analysis.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Kelp refers to large brown laminarian seaweeds that form forests; the programme also covers fucoids such as Cystoseira and other habitat-forming species.
Yes. Cystoseira forests and their restoration are covered, alongside Atlantic kelp forests and those of other regions.
No. Any species control requires consent from the competent authority.
Not in person. Cultivation protocols are covered through teaching materials and documented cases.
A restoration plan for a specific seaweed forest, from diagnosis to monitoring.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Kelp Forests and Seaweeds qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in biology, marine science, environmental science or a related field; or professional experience in marine conservation or seaweed farming. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.