Multi-objective calibration of a hydrologic model using spatially distributed remotely sensed/in-situ soil moisture

•Multi-objective calibration of SWAT using streamflow and AMSR-E/field sensor soil moisture data.•AMSR-E data reduces model bias in surface soil moisture simulation, but has less effect in deeper layer.•Calibration with field sensor based root zone moisture estimate provides substantial enhancement in model performance.•Model parameters have reduced uncertainty range and equifinality, especially for sub-surface processes.