Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor?

Biotic factors refer to the living components of an ecosystem that can affect the interactions and survival of organisms within that environment. When considering plants, they are vital contributors to an ecosystem, serving as primary producers that convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This process not only sustains the plants themselves but also indirectly supports herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers, creating a complex web of life.

In contrast, the other options represent abiotic factors, which are non-living physical and chemical elements in the environment. Water is essential for all living organisms but is categorized as an abiotic factor. Soil, while it supports plant life and is critical for providing nutrients, is also an abiotic component. Similarly, temperature affects the metabolism and behavior of organisms but is not a living entity, making it another abiotic factor.

Thus, the choice of plants as a biotic factor highlights the importance of living organisms in ecological dynamics and their roles in sustaining ecosystems.