Is this a useless ornament?

'02 300M had an argument with a mound of packed snow, which severely
damaged the flimsy plastic piece that runs pretty much the full width of
the car, attached to the underside of the front bumper by push-in
plastic fasteners.

Doe this thing serve any useful purpose? -- e.g., improving
aerodynamics, improving cooling (esp. of the disc brakes)? If I don't
like the cost of a replacement (even one from a wrecking yard), would
there be any significant disadvantage in simply pitching the old one and
going without?

Perce