What potential environmental impact is suggested by developing a cheaper substrate for mycoprotein production?

• A. Increases deforestation worldwide.
• B. Decreases worldwide deforestation.
• C. Has no effect on deforestation.
• D. Requires more land use.

Answer: (B)

Developing a cheaper substrate for mycoprotein production hints at expanding a meat substitute that requires less land than traditional livestock. When a protein source like mycoprotein becomes cheaper to produce, it’s more feasible to replace some animal protein in diets. Livestock farming uses large tracts of land for grazing and for growing animal feed; shifting demand toward a single‑cell protein reduces pressure to convert forests into pasture or cropland. So, the environmental impact suggested is a decrease in deforestation worldwide, since less land would be needed for meat production. The other options don’t fit this substitution effect: increasing deforestation would imply more land clearing for livestock, claiming no effect ignores the potential land‑sparing benefit, and requiring more land use contradicts the idea of a cheaper, scalable alternative protein that can lessen farming demand.