What is a common characteristic of natural fibers?

Natural fibers are derived from plants, animals, or minerals and are characterized by their ability to decompose naturally over time, which makes them biodegradable. This attribute is significant as it highlights their environmental advantage compared to synthetic fibers, which are typically made from petrochemicals and can take hundreds of years to break down. Biodegradability is an important consideration in eco-friendly textile production and sustainability practices.

The other options focus on aspects that do not accurately define natural fibers. For instance, natural fibers are not synthetic, as they come from organic sources. Additionally, they generally do not require extensive chemical processing to produce, unlike many synthetic fibers that undergo significant alteration and chemical treatment. Lastly, while some natural fibers can be durable, many synthetic fibers are specifically engineered for enhanced durability and strength, making broad generalizations about durability misleading.