So far it appears that there is a random factor that decides when a map is unloaded, although that seems odd. It appears that the entirety of an area spawns foragables att the same time, the effect is not gradual.
Hmm. My current theory is that map-unloading is checked every 15? minutes, and so the random factor is based on when the next map unload is.
I will run some tests operating on the assumption that the interval is based on a normal clock, and see if respawn happens at certain times after the hour.
Ok... repopulation did not occur on the half hour. maybe its based on the clock which starts ticking at server uptime. Will test this next.
I saw information elsewhere claiming its every 12 minutes, checking now.