The Aldabra tortoise is the largest animal on the atoll. It fills a similar role to the one occupied by elephants in Africa and Asia. As with elephants, they are the main consumers of vegetation and will noticeably alter the habitat during their search for food. Tortoises have been known to knock over small trees and shrubs to obtain nutritious leaves. This makes pathways and clearings within the forest lands for other animals.
Seeds pass through the tortoise's digestive tract and eventually become food for many other species.
J. Zool. , London, Vol. Captive Breeding and Management of the Aldabra Tortoise. Gibson, C.W.D. and J. Hamilton. The Giant Tortoises of Aldabra Atoll. Pritchard, Peter C.H. Encyclopedia of Turtles.