Somewhat newbish questions Vol. I

As I'm still pretty new to the game I have a lot of questions, but I try to figure most of it out in-game.
A few of those I remember from today..
1 - Is darkness found in patches like a biome, or is it the entire map beyond a certain distance from Providence?
2 - Does having multiple skeps speed purity increase of fruit trees? (I would test it but I am a little short of the skill)
2b - Does it increase the chance of blooms fruiting?
3 - If you have a working mine and the entrance is destroyed, does building another entrance there restore access to the mine you had, or generate a new one? (seems logical it would do the former, but I have been told it is the later)
4 - Is there any 'security' benefit to having a town over each having their own personal claim?
A few of those I remember from today..
1 - Is darkness found in patches like a biome, or is it the entire map beyond a certain distance from Providence?
2 - Does having multiple skeps speed purity increase of fruit trees? (I would test it but I am a little short of the skill)
2b - Does it increase the chance of blooms fruiting?
3 - If you have a working mine and the entrance is destroyed, does building another entrance there restore access to the mine you had, or generate a new one? (seems logical it would do the former, but I have been told it is the later)
4 - Is there any 'security' benefit to having a town over each having their own personal claim?