Copper tolerance in the macrolichens Cladonia furcata and Cladina arbuscula subsp. mitis is constitutive rather than inducible

► Cu tolerance in two lichens growing on Cu-waste heaps and control substrata was assessed. ► Regardless of locality, populations of these lichens contained identical strains of lichen algae. ► Not significant differences in responses of populations of both species to Cu excess were found. ► We assume that tolerance to Cu is constitutive rather than inducible form.