How does a vegetative cover protect and nurture the soil in a way that supports a plant's growth?

Answer 1

Do you mean a cover over the plant or just over the soil?

Covers reduce frost danger by keeping the plants a bit warmer on those frosty nights.......you get about a 3 degree safety margin. Covers also prevent leafhoppers and other insects from getting onto your plants and transmitting diseases or just eating the plant. Covers reduce solar radiation only about 10-20 percent which might be a problem in cloudy climates, but nothing in super sunny locations. \

Soil covers help keep the soil cool -- or can warm the soil faster--depending on the type cover. Soil covers inhibit weed growth while protecting the soil's microorganisms from UV damage, and help retain soil moisture. For crops with low hanging fruit, the mats prevent (or help prevent) ground contact rot and soil critter feeding.

Answer 2

A vegetative layer protects the soil from erosion of the topsoil by water or wind.