Removing Shelving set into Plasterboard

[johnlevon]

I have a converted cellar with what I thought was floating shelves against what I presume is plasterboard (behind that is a small gap, and then the actual tanking membrane).

But after digging in a corner a little it seems like instead the wood of the shelves actually extends *into* the plasterboard - so if I were to remove the shelves there'd be big gaps where the wood previously was.

Given I want to replace the shelving, does this mean entirely new plasterboard needs doing, or could it be fixed up somehow?

thanks
john