In "Ice Age 2", the gathering of area construction is a very important thing in the game, because it reduces the heat demand of many buildings by 20 points, which means that doing this kind of thing can reduce the fuel consumption to a certain extent. Consumption, although 20 calories may not sound like a lot in the overall plan, but it adds up.
What are the benefits of building gathering areas in Ice Age 2
Clustering areas together is essential to ensuring the survival of a city, especially on higher difficulty settings.
If three tiles in any area are in contact with three blocks in a single adjacent area, 20 points of heat will be generated
While 20 points of heat may not sound like a lot in the grand scheme of things, this number actually adds up significantly considering how many areas you'll build over the course of the game. Reducing the overall need for heat means the generator needs to burn less fuel, which in turn means you can have a larger reserve when a disaster like albinism strikes.