• Harmony between humans and nature

• Sustainable tourism
• Community tourism
• Environmental management
• Ecology
• Ecotourism

Links to Aademic Profiles:

• Prof KF Mearns - Google Scholar
• Prof KF Mearns - ORCID
• Prof KF Mearns - Research Gate

List of Publications:

• Sibuye, L., Mearns, K., & Makoni, L. (2026). Sustainable management of urban nature reserves: Insights from visitors’ travel behaviours and motivations at Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Modern Geográfia, 21(1), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.15170/MG.2026.21.01.04
• Letsatsi, N., Dube, K. & Mearns, K. (2026). Fog and Global Aviation: The State of Knowledge Evolution. In Mukandavire, Z. Ali, H. &Dube, K. (Eds.) Aviation Industry Trends – Technology Advancements, Regulations, and Sustainability. Conference Proceeding of the 5th International Aviation Management Conference 2024. Springer Cham Pages 271-283 (369p) ISBN: 978-3-031-89555-5 DOI.org/10.1007/978-3-031-89553-1
• Tau, D.K., Mearns, K.M. & Makoni, L., (2025). Visitor perspectives on engagement programmes at the National Zoological Garden, Pretoria, African Journal of Sustainable Tourism 1(1), a8. https://doi.org/10.4102/AJST.v1i1.8
• Louw, I., Mearns, K. & Makoni, L. (2025). Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) Usage Patterns and Their Implications for Human Wellbeing, Ecological Balance, and Astronomical Visibility Within the Nighttime Ecosystem of Brenton-on-Sea, Knysna. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology. 9(11):198-210.
• Van der Berg, H. & Mearns, K. (2025). Inclusion of Local Community Farmers into the Supply Chains of Luxury Wildlife Tourism Destinations. In Dube, K., Ezeuduji,I. O. & Swart, M.P. Tourism in Rural Protected Areas: Trends and Opportunities in Southern Africa. Springer Cham Pages 55-66 (148p) ISBN: 978-3-031-87333-1 DOI.org/10.1007/978-3-031-87333-1
• Acquaah, E.K., Mearns, K. Agyepong, A. (2025). Using the Mann-Kendall trend analysis test to investigate the monthly and annual rainfall trends of seven locations along the Volta Lake and some tributaries. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 19(10): 322-338. DOI: 10.5897/AJEST2025.3354.
• Makoni, L., & Mearns, K. (2025). Informal Tourism and Sustainable Development in Africa: Insights from a Systematic Literature Review and Content Analysis. Revista Română de Geografie Politică, 27(2), 66-83. https://doi.org/10.30892/rrgp.272101-390
• Van der Berg, H. & Mearns, K. (2025). Inclusion of Community Farmers into the Supply Chains of Luxury Wildlife Tourism Destinations. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 14(1): 36-44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.583
• Donkor, F. E., Tantoh, H. B. & Mearns, K. (2025). Exploring the potential role of geotourism for local economic development in South Africa: opportunities and constraints. In Matshusa, K. & Leonard, L. (Eds.) Geotourism for social sustainability and ecological justice in sub-Saharan Africa: Unlocking the Potential. ISBN 9781032706733 DOI: 10.4324/9781032706764-2, Routledge, Oxon, 182p.
• Makoni, L. & Mearns, K. (2025). Interrogating the Plight of Hidden Contributors: Informal Traders in South Africa’s Premier Tourism Landscapes. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, 18(5), 87-100.
• Mearns, K. (2025) Waste Management in Protected Areas: Benchmarking Recyclable Waste Emanating from Tourism. In Sucheran, R. (Ed.) Sustainable Waste Management in the Tourism and Hospitality Sectors. (69-89). IGI Global, Hershey 601pp. ISBN13: 9798369361108 DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-6110-8.ch004.
• Nyathi, T.R, Makoni, L. & Mearns, K. (2024). Unravelling the Fabric of Johannesburg’s Informal Food Vending Sector. Studia Periegetica. 2(46): 115-134. https://doi.org/10.58683/sp.2028 .
• Kumadeka, C.M.A., Visser, T., Phillips, M., Mearns, K. & Agbo, I. (2024) The effect of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Business Performance of Youth Entrepreneurs within the Tshwane Municipality in South Africa. Journal of Advanced Research in Business and Management Studies, 37 (1): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.37934/arbms.37.1.114.
• Queiros DR, Musavengane R, Mearns K. (2024). Relationship matters in conservation: Mnqobokazi community and Phinda private game reserve, South Africa. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development. 8(12): 1-21 (9342). https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i12.9342
• Queiros, D.R. & Mearns, K.F. (2024). Engendering community support for conservation: A case study of Kekana Gardens community and Dinokeng Game Reserve, South Africa. Journal of Asian and African Studies. 59(2): 391-410. https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096221111358
• Acquaah, E. K., Mearns, K. & Agyepong, A. (2024). Assessing The Resilience of Adaptation Measures: Conceptual Frameworks for A Case Study of Ghana’s Keta Sea Defense System. African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 3(1), 259-271. https://doi.org/10.37284/ajccrs.3.1.2160.

Professional Affiliations:

• Registered Professional Natural Scientist (400256/14) Field of practice: Environmental Science
• Member of the Society of South African Geographers
• Member of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association
• Member of the Society of Conservation Biology
• Member of the International Institute for Impact Assessors - South Africa
• Member of The International Ecotourism Society
• President of Society of South African Geographers (2014-2016)
• Council Member Society of South African Geographers (2004-2018)

Awards: 

• NRF Thuthuka Award 2005-2011
• Commonwealth Scholarship 2007-2010
• NRF Rating Y2 2012-2019
• Top Talent Management Prospect Franklin Cowey 2022
• Chancellors Award for Excellence in Research 2022

• Sustainability benchmarking for the South African Tourism Industry
• Marine and coastal tourism and protected areas
• Social ecology of conservation areas
• Managing the environmental impacts of tourism within a southern African context
• Social impact assessments
• Operational challenges of community tourism venture
• Climate change and tourism