Natures are an essential part to the overall stat total of a pokemon. Having a beneficial nature will give the pokemon a 10% boost to the stat total and a 10% drop to the stat it hinders. However, neutral natures are not beneficial nor hindering, so they don't give a 10% boost or drop to any stat.
Also a characteristics chart would be nice. Describing and explaining those little notes on th status screen(loves to eat/often dozes off/proud of its power etc.)