General Impact
Pennisetum setaceum requires full sun to grow vigourously; in dry and open environments fountain grass is a highly aggressive, fire-adapted colonizer that readily outcompetes native plants, it rapidly re-establishes after burning. Fountain grass raises fuel loads, which increases the intensity and spread of a fire, and result in severe damage to native, dry forest species adapted to less extreme fire regimes." PESC (2002) states that these fires create even more space for P. setaceum and other invasive species. "P. setaceum reduce the space available for native species and compete with them for scarce water and nutrients." Benton goes on to say that "P. setaceum is a poor pasture grass and a serious weed in many dry habitats."
In wet areas, however, it is outcompeted by other grasses.
Location Specific Impacts:Kaua`i Is. (United States (USA)) 
Competition: According to PESC (2002), "Pennisetum setaceum reduce the space available for native species and compete with them for scarce water and nutrients."
Modification of fire regime: According to Benton (1998), Pennisetum setaceum raises fuel loads, which increases the intensity and spread of a fire, and results in severe damage to native, dry forest species adapted to less extreme fire regimes." Lana`i (Lanai) Is. (United States (USA))
Competition: According to PESC (2002), "Pennisetum setaceum reduce the space available for native species and compete with them for scarce water and nutrients."
Modification of fire regime: According to Benton (1998), Pennisetum setaceum raises fuel loads, which increases the intensity and spread of a fire, and results in severe damage to native, dry forest species adapted to less extreme fire regimes." Oahu Is. (United States (USA))
Competition: According to PESC (2002), "Pennisetum setaceum reduce the space available for native species and compete with them for scarce water and nutrients."
Modification of fire regime: According to Benton (1998), Pennisetum setaceum raises fuel loads, which increases the intensity and spread of a fire, and results in severe damage to native, dry forest species adapted to less extreme fire regimes." Arizona (United States (USA))
Competition: According to PESC (2002), "Pennisetum setaceum reduce the space available for native species and compete with them for scarce water and nutrients."
Modification of fire regime: According to Benton (1998), Pennisetum setaceum raises fuel loads, which increases the intensity and spread of a fire, and results in severe damage to native, dry forest species adapted to less extreme fire regimes." California (United States (USA))
Competition: According to PESC (2002), "Pennisetum setaceum reduce the space available for native species and compete with them for scarce water and nutrients."
Modification of fire regime: According to Benton (1998), Pennisetum setaceum raises fuel loads, which increases the intensity and spread of a fire, and results in severe damage to native, dry forest species adapted to less extreme fire regimes." Colorado (United States (USA))
Competition: According to PESC (2002), "Pennisetum setaceum reduce the space available for native species and compete with them for scarce water and nutrients."
Modification of fire regime: According to Benton (1998), Pennisetum setaceum raises fuel loads, which increases the intensity and spread of a fire, and results in severe damage to native, dry forest species adapted to less extreme fire regimes." Hawaii (United States (USA))
Competition: According to PESC (2002), "Pennisetum setaceum reduce the space available for native species and compete with them for scarce water and nutrients."
Modification of fire regime: According to Benton (1998), Pennisetum setaceum raises fuel loads, which increases the intensity and spread of a fire, and results in severe damage to native, dry forest species adapted to less extreme fire regimes." New Mexico (United States (USA))
Competition: According to PESC (2002), "Pennisetum setaceum reduce the space available for native species and compete with them for scarce water and nutrients."
Modification of fire regime: According to Benton (1998), Pennisetum setaceum raises fuel loads, which increases the intensity and spread of a fire, and results in severe damage to native, dry forest species adapted to less extreme fire regimes."
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