Aldabrachelys grandidieri (along with Aldabrachelys abrupta) likely were seed dispersers of the six baobab (Adansonia spp.) species endemic to Madagascar; in an experiment, extant Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) readily consumed fruit of Adansonia rubrostipa. Other ecological functions of giant tortoises likely included trampling and selectively consuming vegetation. It is suggested that introduced Aldabra giant tortoises could be used for restoration of these functions.
