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But the frontrunners at this stage, the first to fill the clearing, are pioneers like the Macarangas.
在这个舞台的其他地方，第一个长满地面的就是血桐等大戟科植物。
Their immense leaves capture huge amounts of sunlight, so fuelling their growth.
它的大叶子捕捉了相当多的阳光，所以加速了它的生长。
As a result, the Macarangas grow a remarkable eight metres a year,
结果是，这种血桐一年能长8米，
surging ahead of almost all their rivals.
几乎超越所有竞争者。
In the race for the top spot, hundreds will start yet few will ever reach the finishing line,
在这个长高比赛上，众多的运动员中只有少数可以冲过终点，
their growth cut short by the diminishing light.
大部分的植物因为缺少阳光而生长缓慢。
In less than four years the gap will have gone, but that's not the end of the race.
在接下来的至少4年时间里，地表将暗无天日，但比赛还没有结束。
The ultimate winners are the tortoises, the slow and steady hardwoods.
最后的胜利者是这些长得又稳又慢的阔叶树。
When the short-lived pioneers have fallen, it's the hardwoods that take their place.
短命的先锋植物衰败的时候，阔叶树就取代了它们的位置。
And a 50-metre giant like this one, may keep its place in the sun for another 200 years.
这颗50米高的树将在剩下的200年里汲取阳光。
