Originally posted by Vazkulator:

in this scenario, you have actual seeds for trees as an option rather than a system for regrowth "again, bandaided or intended ?"

Using that as an example, it's a bit of both for most things. By allowing players to decide where regrowth occurs, they solve two "problems" with one feature: Make regrowth possible while allowing players to decide how it occurs.

I wouldn't be surprised if the earlier dungeons were later changed to provide some replayability and renewability of resources, but I don't think it's a matter of the present. Mistlands dungeons will be inconsistent in this regard, but considering how they are populated by what is essentially a living super-organism of insects, it's not that outlandish IMO.