According to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis,
A. species diversity is highest when disturbance is rare.
B. species cannot colonize after intermediate disturbance.
C. competition eliminates species when disturbance is rare.
D. competition eliminates species when disturbance is common.
E. none of the above

C. competition eliminates species when disturbance is rare.

Explanation:

Intermediate disturbance hypothesis aims to explain the species diversity in an area. According to it, intermediate level of disturbance is required to maximize species diversity.

In case of high level of disturbance like deforestation or forest fire, all species are at risk of going extinct. In case of low level of disturbance, interspecific competition for resources increases due to which one species becomes dominant and another nearly extinct, thus reducing species diversity. Hence, an intermediate level of disturbance is required to maximize species diversity.