[7] In England, the remaining colonies of Zygodon gracilis is restricted to a hectad in Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The disjunction in the Europe-North American distribution pattern is likely the result of the separation of the Laurasia landmass from 200 million years ago.

[7] The male and female colonies present in England are also observed to be very spatially segregated, resulting in the rarity of sexual reproductive structure.

[7] The combination of a narrow habitat range and a lack of dispersal methods make current populations very sensitive to the effects of climate change.

The expansion of nearby tree canopy increases shading and humidity of the cliff face, which leads to an overgrowth of lichen and cyanobacteria amongst the population.