They protect the plant against water loss, prevent the leaching of important minerals by the rain, and protect against bacteria, fungi, and harmful insects.
ðeɪ pɹətˈɛkt ðə plˈænt ɐɡˈɛnst wˈɔːɾɚ lˈɔs, pɹɪvˈɛnt ðə lˈiːtʃɪŋ ʌv ɪmpˈoːɹtənt mˈɪnɚɹəlz baɪ ðə ɹˈeɪn, ænd pɹətˈɛkt ɐɡˈɛnst bæktˈɪɹiə, fˈʌŋɡi, ænd hˈɑːɹmfəl ˈɪnsɛkts.