Gymnosperms are no longer restricted to moist environments, as are ferns and mosses because they have evolved to produce non-flagellated pollens that do not require water or moisture to reach the egg whereas ferns and mosses have flagellated sperm that needs moisture to swim towards the egg.
Another major evolutionary adaption in gymnosperms is the production of seeds instead of spores since seeds contain their own nutrition in the form of endosperm, seeds can travel large distances through wind or animals and can germinate when they find suitable conditions. Seeds can remain dormant for several years whereas spores have a shorter lifespan.
