One force rules over the islands of Southeast Asia more than any other. It makes snakes fly and apes sing. It turns some trees into towering giants and others into stealthy killers. It is the awesome power of the tropical sun. This is the story of how, in these ancient rainforests, the sun's energy sustains the greatest assemblage of life on Earth.

The richest seas in the world surround the islands that lie between Asia and Australia. The power of the moon is still felt beyond the range of the tide. Tidal currents sweep across coral reefs, bringing plankton, and making the reefs the richest on earth. This is all the product of the moon and millions of years of evolution.