[Translated from the Russian original published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 88, No. 5, pp. 755–767] The main physiological and biochemical characteristics and elemental composition of the lichens Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr., Parmelia sulcata Taylor, Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl., and H. tubulosa (Schaer.) Hav. growing under insignifi cant anthropogenic impacts in one habitat were studied using optical spectroscopy analysis. The fi rst three species are often used as indicators in biomonitoring based on spectral analysis data. The contents of chlorophylls a and b, total nitrogen, and phenolic compounds and antiradical activity were determined by a spectrophotometric method. The pheophytinization quotient (PQ) was calculated. The antioxidant activity was determined by an amperometric method. The physiological and biochemical parameters revealed in all four species indicated their habitat corresponded to the background. The physiological characteristics correlated to varying degrees among themselves. Twenty-two elements including macro- and microelements, heavy metals, and metalloids were detected in lichen thalli using ICP-AES spectroscopy. The maximum differences in metal contents were found in X. parietina and H. tubulosa. An analysis of the interrelationship of the physiological and biochemical characteristics, elemental composition, and metal contents made it possible to identify complex systems of correlations in each species. Differences in their structure may be associated with the specifi cs of the secondary metabolite composition, which determines the features of adaptive reactions and the degree of tolerance of the species. The use of a complex analysis of the physiological and biochemical characteristics and the elemental composition using various spectral methods is important for the development of the bioindication and ecological physiology of lichens. Keywords: optical spectroscopy methods, ICP-AES analysis, biomonitoring, elemental analysis, heavy metals, metalloids, Xanthoria parietina, Parmelia sulcata, Hypogymnia physodes, Hypogymnia tubulosa, epiphytic lichens, indicator species, chlorophyll, phenolic compounds, total nitrogen, pheophytinization quotient, antioxidant activity, antiradical activity.