Anthropogenic disturbance has removed thicker soils and increased sun exposure in many of these sites; for instance, many of the Quebec stations are in asbestos mines, both abandoned and active. In more natural habitats, frost weathering and erosion may promote rock fall and maintain suitable habitat. The eastern serpentine outcrops where "A. viridimontanum" thrives have relatively few endemics, compared to serpentine exposures globally. "A. viridimontanum" is one of only five taxa (four species and a variety) that are strictly endemic to serpentine in eastern North America, and two of these, "A. aleuticum" and "Aspidotis densa", grow on non-serpentine substrates elsewhere in North America. "Adiantum viridimontanum" largely reproduces asexually by branching rather than sexually through spores. While wind-blown spores can result in sexual reproduction for the species, most spores probably fall within a relatively short radius of the plant. In addition, reproduction through spore dispersal requires the spore to land in suitable conditions for generating a gametophyte, typically in bright sunlight on thin serpentine soils. These requirements allow "A. viridimontanum" to colonize recently disturbed sites on ultramafic outcrops, where bedrock has been exposed and competing plants have been removed. The populations appear stable, with the long life of individuals compensating for low recruitment rates. Little is known about the role of "A. viridimontanum" in the ecosystem. In general, ferns are less susceptible to herbivory than flowering plants due to higher levels of toxic and distasteful compounds in their foliage. "A. viridimontanum" is not known to be threatened by a particular predator or disease. Under the NatureServe conservation status system, "A. viridimontanum" is considered globally vulnerable (G3). It is considered imperiled (S2) in Vermont and vulnerable (S3) in Quebec; it has not yet been classified in Maine. Conservation of "A. viridimontanum" is primarily limited by its restricted habitat on serpentine cliffs and talus slopes. However, these sites are also of little value to humans. The most likely threat to the species is expansion of asbestos mining, which often occurs near populations of the fern, or other reuse of abandoned asbestos mines.