Air box piping question 1999 corolla

[corolla man01]

I have a 1999 hatchback corolla and I am wondering if it is ok for the piping which brings air into the air box (pipe goes under electrical boxes, around the battery on right and air gets pulled in from near the light) can be removed with no consequences. I took the pipe out and about halfway it goes down to a plastic looking box by the wheel im guessing that's a intake resonator or something or does it pull in more air?

so can the pipe be removed with no consequences and is the part halfway down pipe resonator or part of air intake?

(btw im not talking about anything after the filter)

Thanks for any help.