High levels of precipitation cause the glaciers to descend to permafrost levels in some areas whereas in other, more arid regions, glaciers remain above about the 3,500 m (11,483 ft) level. The 1,817 square kilometres (702 sq mi) of the Alps covered by glaciers in 1876 had shrunk to 1,342 km2 (518 sq mi) by 1973, resulting in <answer>decreased river run-off levels.</answer> Forty percent of the glaciation in Austria has disappeared since 1850, and 30% of that in Switzerland.
What resulted from the loss of the area the glaciers over the Alps?
decreased river run-off levels.