Can I Remove The Fork Shrouds?

Hi, I want to slim down the front end a bit and wondered if the shroud covers on the America are there for cosmetic reasons or actually provide a mechanical function. I don't see how the bottom shrouds would be but maybe the ones between the yolks could be but I know the yolks tighten on the actual forks and not the shroud gap filler???
any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Doug