Seems like it's just for the looks. Fabulous. And, of course, to block your view and your possibility to get fast to the attacking shark. xD
After exiting the game and then starting it again all my chests were empty. All my palms were also gone and the potatoes too. Not the chest or palm-soil itself, just the objects to use. also, i can't harvest the palms who are new-grown.
:(
